Lovers are destined to love

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/31028465.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Category: M/M
Fandom: 二哈和他的白猫师尊 - 肉包不吃肉 | The Husky and His White Cat
Shizun - Meatbun Doesn't Eat Meat
Relationship: Chu Wanning/Taxian-jun, Chu Wanning/Mo Ran/Taxian-jun, Chu
Wanning & Mo Ran
Character: Chu Wanning, Mo Ran | Mo Weiyu, Taxian-jun, Song Qiutong, Xue
Meng (The Husky and His White Cat Shizun), Xue Meng | Xue Ziming
Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Omega Verse, Alpha/Omega, Mpreg,
Implied Mpreg, Miscarriage, Unhealthy Relationships, Alternate
Universe, ranwan, Character Death
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2021-05-01 Completed: 2022-01-07 Words: 62,597
Chapters: 22/22

Lovers are destined to love

by Yarala

Summary

Taxian Jun’s father was an irresponsible man. He always went out to play around with girls
in brothels or hook up with female servants. Taxian Jun was born from such servant omega.
Even though his father allowed him to stay in the palace and be raised as a young master,
he swore not to let the firstborn onto the throne after his second son was born from his wife.
Taxian Jun's blood boiled, killed his own father then sent his brother away.
Years later, his grown up little brother, Mo Ran returns. Not only he is trying to get on the
throne, but even falls in love with his highness' beloved Concubine Chu.
Taxian Jun's blood boils once again. This empire needs only one emperor. And Chu
Wanning needs only one alpha.

Notes

Hey everyone!
This is my first fanfic here and my first in the 2ha fandom. I'm really excited about it, I
hope you'll love it too!
English is not my first language so I'm sorry for the mistakes ><
 Chapter 1

The hot summer has arrived the emperor’s royal palace as well. The warm rays of the sun shined
on all the people working in the gardens, sweating through their dark blue clothes, and wiping their
foreheads more often than usually.

The recently hired, young servants, who weren’t used to the temperature, often complained about
the strict rules to the older ones.

“My head feels like it’s gonna explode” a tall, slim figured boy sighed “are you sure we can’t even
take off our outer robes? I’m boiling”

“Hush, hush” the older servants immediately soothed the other “Did you not hear about the elder,
who dared to garden just in his loose inner clothes while his majesty and… him passed by? He was
thrown out of the palace!”

The tall boy frowned at that. He had heard about this specific man. A lot of things couldn’t be done
because of him. But he has never seen him nor got to learn who exactly he was. The elders also
seemed to look around cautiously and lower their voices while they were talking about him. Was he
some kind of taboo? They still gossiped about him…

“Why throw out someone because of such thing? Ridiculous” the boy claimed and shook his head
in disbelief.

“No, not at all! His highness can think you might want to seduce him. If he looks at you while you
are shirtless, you are not only thrown out, but fed to the stray dogs!”

The boy grimaced. He was sweeping the floor and he was getting rather annoyed by this
mysterious person. He bet he must be a bad person. To make his majesty do such things to his
servants!

A girl with a basket walked over and offered everyone an orange. When she stopped by the boy
and offered him the juicy fruit, she quietly asked:

“Have you not seen his highness’ beloved?”

The boy frowned.

“Of course I have seen her.”

Song Qiutong, his majesty’s fiancée was living in the palace as well. He has seen her walking in
the gardens or drinking tea under the huge willow trees that stood above the little pond in the
middle of the yard.

The girl looked into his eyes in disbelief. She could see that the boy was an alpha, a young, but still
strong and maybe a little stubborn one.

“No, you haven’t. The mistress… she is no one in his majesty’s eyes, everyone knows that. But the
man in the white! You should watch out while you are working around his majesty’s quarters. If
you see him, you will definitely recognize him. Just make sure not to look at him for too long while
he is with his majesty.”

That was strange indeed. He started peeling the orange and eat the fruit. It helped a bit with the
heat wave that had come upon them. He looked into the girl’s eyes.

“Who is he exactly?”

“Who else, Chu Wanning, his majesty’s concubine.”

The boy almost choked on the orange. Concubine?! Was the concubine more heavily guarded than
the fiancée herself?!

A few servants could overhear their conversation and scooted closer. Concubine Chu was always a
hot topic in their community. His beauty, grace and elegancy were envied among the omegas, and
the strange relationship that he had with their emperor was also a troublesome case.

An elderly woman, who was eavesdropping now added:

“His majesty loves his concubine so much… It’s such a pity they haven’t gotten married yet.”

“Don’t be silly, his majesty’s actions are unpredictable… it’s said he needed mistress Song only to
strengthen the relationship between the countries and not to provoke a war” the girl with the basket
said.

“There are much more worrisome things than the marriage. What if he gets concubine Chu
pregnant? A child outside a marriage… concubine Chu would be ashamed.”

“It’d be a troublesome event…” the girl agreed after all. “But even if he gets pregnant, giving birth
would be another thing. He is so sickish and weak, he would only be able to keep the child only for
a month or two.”

The elder woman thought of it, then nodded.

“He has just recovered a few days ago from his cold… and I’ve seen him today going to his
majesty’s quarters again” she said.

“Aiyo, he does not give him any rest, does he?” the young girl sighed and took the orange peel
from the boy, putting it in her basket. The boy was still just listening to the women’s chatter. He
was getting rather excited to see who this precious concubine of the emperor was. Must be a special
man. A special omega.

He looked at the trees in the garden. It was already summer, but these trees were so late with their
blooms. They haven’t even started to open their pink petals, yet they should have already withered
for now. It was rather strange.

Wind blew across the yard, bringing some relief to the boiling servants. It also tore down a pink
petal of a haitang flower and carried it in the air. The small petal danced in the wind, turned and
looped, until it was led into a room through an opened window. It only stopped in a man’s inky
black hair while he was combing it, but he seemed to be so lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even
notice it.

Taxian Jun was the one, who picked it out of his hair and blew it away from the top of his finger.
He watched the petal flowing onto the wooden floor in amusement, then went to hug his precious
concubine from behind.

Both of them were still naked, Taxian Jun felt like only pressing his chest against his back made
him able to have another round with him. But Chu Wanning wasn’t reacting. He kept combing his
hair, eyes cold as ice, as if his emperor wouldn’t be hugging him and trying to press him into his
heart with full force.

Taxian Jun hated being ignored. He started kissing his neck and shoulders while his thumbs were
rubbing Chu Wanning’s tummy. When he couldn’t even make him put the comb down, he started
biting his shoulder. Chu Wanning finally trembled and reached behind to push his head away.

“No…”

Taxian Jun grimaced, then easily picked him up by his waist and put him in his lap. He started
examining him from head to toe. His skin was sickly pale, and wherever Taxian Jun touched him a
bit stronger than he should have, left a red mark. His nice, soft thighs were covered in fresh
bitemarks, just as his upper arms and nipples.

He licked his lips. What a beautiful sight. Only if Wanning would look at him with those eyes
again…

“Focus, we have serious topics to talk about” the emperor rather talked to himself, than Chu
Wanning.

He buried his face in Chu Wanning’s chest and breathed in his scent a bit. He kept hugging him by
his waist as he started talking.

“You know about my father, right?”

Chu Wanning took a shaky breath. He knew about the latest emperor before Taxian Jun. He slowly
lifted his hand to touch the arms wrapped around himself. His fingers were trembling as he touched
the hot skin of the alpha.

Taxian Jun’s father was an irresponsible man. He always went out to play around with girls in
brothels or hook up with female servants. Taxian Jun was born from such servant omega. Even
though his father allowed him to stay in the palace and be raised as a young master, he swore to his
wife not to let the firstborn onto the throne after his second son was born from his wife.

When he made the oath, the emperor was getting sickish and rather lunatic. And Taxian Jun’s
blood boiled after he heard this. It was clear that the old man wouldn’t live much longer, but to put
his six-year-old son on the throne… ridiculous! Taxian Jun deserved to be the emperor! He was
smart, capable and mostly: the firstborn. He deserved everything that the prince would have gotten.

He had to do something before his father could make a public announcement about the prince
being the next emperor. Then, after their father’s sudden death, he sent his little brother away, to
study in another country, and he kept the empress locked up in the palace. She begged Taxian Jun
to let her son come back to the palace, but Taxian Jun declined it. She died a few years after Taxian
Jun met Chu Wanning.

It’s been 14 years since the last emperor died and Taxian Jun’s brother was sent away. Through the
years he opened his heart only to Chu Wanning, this beautiful omega, who came with a noble
family to the capital to visit someone. What a fortune Taxian Jun also was out in the city and
spotted him!

He first thought he can easily get him, bring him back to the palace then live happily ever after.
But turned out, Chu Wanning was not the kind of man who could be taken just like that. He
refused to come, even if the emperor was asking him. It was a lot of coaxing and lying to get him
within the walls of his palace. And once he was there, he forbid him to ever leave. Chu Wanning
hasn’t been outside the palace for more than seven years now, but Taxian Jun didn’t mind. To such
outsider, like Chu Wanning, he opened himself and told every one of his dirty and dark secrets.
Chu Wanning was always listening, and never said anything.

“I killed my father… now I need to kill my little brother”

Chu Wanning pulled his hand away and his breathing became heavier.

“You…”

“He reached adulthood. He is coming back in a few days. If he learns he is the actual heir… he
would take my position.”

“He is your brother…” Chu Wanning’s voice sounded cracked and a little weak.

“You will help me. Like you helped with his mother” he said, burying his face in his chest even
deeper. “I can only trust you, Wanning.”

Chu Wanning put his hands on his shoulders and tried to push him away but there was no use. He
was still weakened, not only from the cold he caught a week ago, but from the exhaustion of their
session together as well.

“You tricked me into doing that…! I’m not killing anyone…!”

“Shh… ” he told him and his grip tightened on his waist. Chu Wanning pressed his lips together
not to let out any sounds.

Taxian Jun was silent for a little while. He closed his eyes and nuzzled one of his bitemarks on
Wanning’s chest.

“Actually, maybe you are right” he told his lover “maybe… if we find evidence about his
craziness or incapability to be the emperor… we don’t need to kill him.”

Chu Wanning didn’t answer just closed his eyes.

“You will follow him everywhere. See whom he is to see, whom he is to talk. See what he is up to,
gain his trust and follow my orders” he told him, then lifted his chin up and chuckled a bit in
amusement. “Mo Ran is coming home… what an interesting time we are going to have…”
 Chapter 2

“Open the gates! The prince is back!”

The yelling echoed through the excited crowd on the yard. All the servants and guards had to come
out and stand in a line next to the road. They chattered and gossiped about the little prince that had
left the palace fourteen years ago. How does he look now? Is he a mature, handsome man like his
brother? How does he wear his hair? What clothes does he like?

However, when the gates opened, they all quieted down. A giant black steed walked in slowly,
with some grey horses following it with the guards of the prince.

Gasps left the lips of the elder servants. Was this handsome young man really the small prince who
used to run about the whole palace and playing with the dogs?

Mo Ran was sitting on his great steed, smiling widely, and lifting his hand to greet the people of
his home. He was wearing black western styled clothes and a dark travelling cloak. He enjoyed
attention and all the looks chained on his very being. He was searching the crowd, looking for
familiar faces. Whenever he saw one, his smile just grew bigger and waved specifically at that
person.

Chu Wanning was standing behind the crowd. He didn’t go too close neither the road, nor the
people. They avoided him anyway, knowing what punishments the emperor could give if he saw
someone standing too close to his beloved.

He looked at the prince only once. He looked exactly like Taxian Jun, only he was younger and his
skin colour was darker than the emperor’s. His features were cheerful and young, not as strict and
aggressive as Taxian Jun’s. Their eyes were a bit different too: Taxian Jun’s eyes were loving when
he looked at Chu Wanning. Mo Ran’s eyes showed that he would betray anyone just for a little bit
of fun.

Chu Wanning huffed at the thought and refused to look at anyone for the rest of this homecoming
ceremony. His gaze shifted toward the sky, where a small bird flew in circles around them, then
made its way toward the gates and flew out to the outside world. As he followed the movement of
the bird, he needed to glance at Mo Ran again.

He took a few steps back, noticing that the prince was looking at him. His lips slightly parted and
his head completely turned as his steed kept walking down on the way. What was he even looking
at? Right, Chu Wanning wore white robes, so he could be easily spotted among the servants, who
wore their dark blue uniforms, but still…

He looked away, then turned his head and quickly took his leave. It was not the time yet, to go and
fulfill his emperor’s wishes. No. He just came because he was interested. But he wasn’t anymore.

After he left, Mo Ran turned his back forward. What a strange beauty his brother had in his palace.

He soon reached the end of the road where Taxian Jun and Song Quitong stood next to each other.
Taxian Jun clearly tried to keep his distance from the pretty young woman, Mo Ran couldn’t figure
out why, but to tell the truth, he didn’t care either. If it was important, he would know it soon
anyway.

He knelt and bowed his hand before the emperor.

“Brother, I’m back.”

Taxian Jun tried his best to hide his disappointment the entire time. Mo Ran was here. Young,
healthy and clear minded. Perfect to take his throne, what a pity. It wasn’t likely that his little
brother would just die by himself…

“Welcome back, Mo Ran” he told him and put his hand on his shoulder to let him know he could
stand up, even though he liked him bowing his head before him like that. “It’s been many- many
years. I hope you will find this place likeable after all those houses in the western states.” Oh, he
wished he would go back and never returned.

“Oh yes, I like it a lot. It’s just like in my memories. Seems like, you don’t like to change many
things, brother” he said and laughed a bit. Taxian Jun furrowed his brows, but then his facial
muscles relaxed quickly.

“Please, come in. I prepared a feast for your return.” he showed the way toward the main hall, with
Song Qiutong and Mo Ran on his sides. After a few steps, Mo Ran coughed a bit.

“Brother, she….”

Taxian Jun realized, he hasn’t even introduced his fiancée. He just completely forgot about her, just
like any other day. Why would he care about her?

“Oh, she is my fiancée, Song Qiutong” he answered after a few awkward moments.

Mo Ran smiled and bowed his head a bit and Mistress Song also bowed before him. She was
clearly mad at the emperor, but she kept her good attitude as an empress should. She was also just
putting on an act, just like her fiancé. Deep down, flames of anger and jealousy were burning
inside her and she really put on a perfect mask, to hide it from everyone.

When Taxian Jun made a long visit to her family and in the end of it he proposed to her, then
brought her back to the palace, she was the happiest person alive. She knew that Taxian Jun might
just want her because he wants to strengthen the relationship between his empire and her family,
but still, Song Qiutong was marrying a handsome alpha, who was even an emperor!

Little she knew that the promised wedding would be postponed. She’s been in the palace for years
now and she’s been watching her future husband taking such person in his bed like Chu Wanning.
She had no idea why he would choose that lowborn, good-for-nothing omega. Yes, he was pretty,
but considering how sickish he was, he wouldn’t even be able to give the emperor a healthy son.

He was useless in many ways. She couldn’t understand why Taxian Jun still preferred sleeping
with him… yet, she didn’t say anything, just tried to bear with it and show tolerance. Taxian Jun
was the emperor after all, and she was only his fiancée.

Taxian Jun walked to the dining hall and he sat down on the biggest chair, at the biggest table. He
sat down and started eating. Mo Ran looked around in the hall and his eyes shined in amusement.
It was just as he remembered it, except his parents were not in the room.

He talked about casual thing to Taxian Jun. He told about the western states, the life conditions of
the people there and all the amazing things he learnt. Taxian Jun paid him little mind. Mo Ran’s
speech, his whole being was perfect for an emperor. He couldn’t stay in the palace alive.

After the meal Mo Ran stood up and bowed his head before the emperor and the future empress.

“Excuse me, but I’m going to visit my parents now” he said and then he stood up and left.
It had gotten dark outside and small raindrops were falling from the sky. Mo Ran looked up, then
just decided to take a lamp and walk to the ancestral hall without an umbrella. It was not raining
that much after all.

The Ancestral Hall was a round room with full of the memorial tablets of the deceased emperors
and empresses. There was even a little tunnel filled with water that was dividing the place of the
incents burners from the tablets. Flowers were blooming all day and night at this place and in the
middle there was the memorial tablets of the lastly deceased royal couple.

Mo Ran knelt before it, putting his forehead on the floor, then sticked incense burners in the pot in
front of the memorial tablets.

“Mom, dad, I’m home” he told them softly. “This place hasn’t changed at all… no wonder, big bro
must have wanted to keep it like you two liked it.”

He smiled and chatted for a while about little nothings. After he left when he was six years old, he
had never again met his mother. He heard she died due to illness… he always felt bad for not
coming home for her funeral.

He soon bowed once again then stood up to leave. He left the ancestral hall and stood under the
roof for a while. The raining got heavier and the whole yard was in half-light. While he was
standing there, figuring out which way led to his quarters, a white figure walked through the yard
in front of him.

He recognized him immediately. It was the same man who stood behind the crowd while he was
sitting on the horse.

The mysterious man in white had a white umbrella with him. He noticed Mo Ran standing under
the roof and he slowed his steps but didn’t look at him directly. Was he that shy? How cute!
Judging from his elegant movements and slim figure, he must be an omega. Mo Ran sniffled in the
air, but he couldn’t feel anything but the rainy scent.

There was a fountain in the middle of the yard with fish swimming around in it. The omega in
white stopped in front of it and slowly closed his umbrella, leaning it against the edge of the
fountain. He let the rain falling on him with full force, making his hair and robes instantly wet,
sticking to his skin, just making his slim figure even more visible under the clothes.

He didn’t look at Mo Ran, even once, just hurriedly walked away. Mo Ran watched him, not quite
understanding what had just happened. His gaze was so sticked to the man’s thin waist and small
chest, he even forgot to watch what he was actually doing.

It took a few minutes for him to figure out that the man left him his umbrella there. He quickly
walked to the fountain and picked it up, holding it above his head. It was a white paper umbrella
with a jade pendant on its haft. He couldn’t help but lean closer to it to smell that too.

It might had the omega’s scent once, but Mo Ran wasted too much time under the roof, it was
completely gone for now.

He headed to his quarters and mumbled under his breath.

“Anyway, I will definitely smell him once I give him back his umbrella.”
 Chapter 3

The feverish body pressed against Taxian Jun’s heated, muscular figure. He didn’t leave any time
for Chu Wanning to catch his breath now, even if he was burning with fever. Taxian Jun didn’t
care. He was frustrated. Since his little brother came home, he could see nothing, dream about
nothing, but the prince taking the throne and laughing at him from above the high throne.

Chu Wanning was panting under him and gripped onto the bedsheets, as if he was going to try and
escape. Taxian Jun’s nails dug into the skin on his waist, making Chu Wanning let out another
pained sound. He gave up and just laid and there, waiting for Taxian Jun to finish. Once it
happened, Taxian Jun laid himself onto Chu Wanning’s back, squeezing all the air out of the
smaller man.

“Get off…” he tried to tell him as he leaned his head down. As he expected, he became sick right
after he left his umbrella to Mo Ran. He caught a cold again, for the second time in this month and
Taxian Jun wasn’t as merciful as he thought he would be. He still ordered him into his room, but
when he didn’t go, he personally came to Chu Wanning’s living quarters to sleep with him.

“Quiet, Wanning… I keep you warm…” he told him and panted a bit. He nuzzled his neck and
took in his sweet haitang scent. Feeling the emperor’s lips so close to his scent glands, he started
trying to get away again. This time Taxian Jun let him and rolled off, laying on his back. Chu
Wanning closed his eyes and relaxed. He could finally catch his breath and focus on recovering a
bit. Taxian Jun would get him the best medication later, but still. He curled up and turned his back
toward Taxian Jun.

The emperor looked at his pale figure, his hand brushing all the was from his shoulders to his
waist. He could feel how hot he was, but he considered it as the result of their sexual intercourse.

“You know I wouldn’t mind if you had my baby” he told him softly. Wanning shuddered. “I know
what it feels like being just a bastard. I would definitely make you marry me so our baby can be my
official child. The next emperor. A little prince or princess. Wouldn’t it be nice, Wanning?”

Chu Wanning’s mind was too dazed to think of it. His body went limp and he was only listening,
being too tired even to answer. Taxian Jun pulled him in his arms and leaned Chu Wanning’s head
against his chest.

These royal children he wanted so badly… why couldn’t he just marry already to Song Qiutong
and have his official babies with her? Chu Wanning was not even noble to begin with. He gently
put his hand on Taxian Jun’s chest. His feelings toward the emperor were… difficult to describe.
Chu Wanning was lured in the palace by him because he believed Taxian Jun just wants to have
dinner with him. He never thought he would never be able to leave the palace. In the first few
months he was just locked up in his room and was only let out to have some walks with Taxian Jun.

He respected him as an emperor and at the same time, not. He was ready to go against his will any
time, even if it meant Taxian Jun would get mad. He usually did as he was told, but in one matter
he never agreed with Taxian Jun. He didn’t let him mark him, and secretly drank a potion that
reduced the chances of getting pregnant. It was for the best.

The connection between the emperor and Song Qiutong’s family was fragile, and Taxian Jun
wasn’t a good diplomat. He not only got arguments with the noble clans but the surrounding
countries as well. The war was just about the corner and Chu Wanning didn’t want to put more
fuel on the fire by getting pregnant and possibly marry the emperor.
Taxian Jun treated most people badly, but with Chu Wanning, he was always kind and generous,
not counting the events of the nights when Chu Wanning was ordered into the emperor’s room and
had to pleasure him until morning. Chu Wanning still felt somehow happy to be treated well, even
if he felt bad for the servants who were treated unfairly in the palace.

The only ones Taxian Jun treated well along with Wanning were the children. No matter where
they came from, what their secondary genders were, he treated them kindly and with great care. He
was always seeing himself in the orphans and tried to help the ones who didn’t have a home. Chu
Wanning respected him for that.

“Now now… I let you rest if you want that… but we still need to discuss how to deal with Mo Ran.
Have you met him already, Wanning?”

Chu Wanning shook his head. He just left his umbrella for him, he didn’t talk to him at all.

“Good… you are pretty good with medicine… could you make a poison that kills him slowly, day
by day?”

“I don’t want to…”

“Would you rather kill him fast?”

“….”

“Aww, my dearest little Wanning… just do what I tell you… and I will protect you forever… be
reasonable… I know you love me… he would try to kill me one day, what are you going to do
then? Without me?”

Chu Wanning pressed his lips together. He knew not many people liked him in the palace. They
saw him as the reason for Taxian Jun’s craziness, the wedding wasn’t kept because of him, Taxian
Jun didn’t care about the relations of the other kingdoms because he lost his mind because of him.
Many servants were tormented and fired, because they dared to come close to Wanning… he
wondered how many of them would try to beat him up if they had the chance. Taxian Jun was
somewhat right.

“He is not dangerous” Chu Wanning mumbled after a while.

“You see him only as a child now. But he is also an alpha deep down, keep that in mind” he said
and scratched the back of Chu Wanning’s head as the smaller male kept trying to catch his breath.
He didn’t answer.

Taxian Jun held him close and moved his hair off his neck. His cold fingers touched the place
where his scent glands were and gently pressed it down. He was so perfect there. His skin was so
pure as white snow and he was so hot, like a flaming flower that yet needs to bloom…

“Did you catch a cold again?” he asked finally and Chu Wanning nodded. The emperor sighed.
“Why can’t you just take care of yourself only for a month? Am I asking too much? I don’t want to
put a servant in your room to watch you all day if you are well or not…”

“You don’t need to do that.”

Taxian Jun sighed and moved away, getting up and putting on his inner robe. His firm muscles and
toned shape disappeared under the black fabric. He looked at Chu Wanning and put the blanket
over on his slim, trembling body.
“I’m going to send the imperial physician to you” he told him and leaned down to kiss his head.
Chu Wanning kept his eyes closed, refusing to answer, refusing to look at him.

Taxian Jun straightened his back and stretched a bit before putting on his other robes and fixing his
hair in front of the mirror. It was still daytime, he should keep his composure.

When he was done, he turned back to Wanning to say goodbye, but he noticed that the omega was
asleep, so he just stayed in quiet and exited his room. He headed back to his quarters and as he
walked, he passed by Song Qiutong’s pavilion as well. The woman was sitting outside at the
wooden table as she usually did, drinking her tea. Taxian Jun didn’t want to talk to her, so no matter
how Song Qiutong was staring, he lifted his chin proudly and walked away.

But then, Mo Ran was coming on the path from the other direction, with a very familiar, white
umbrella in his hand. He gritted his teeth but he couldn’t avoid him as he avoided Song Qiutong.
He stopped in front of him.

“Which way are you going?” he asked Mo Ran, his posture basically telling him not to go that
direction. Not like he didn’t want him to go to his fiancée. He didn’t mind it, Mo Ran could do
anything to the future empress, he wouldn’t care. But Chu Wanning’s quarters were just a few
corners away from here…

Mo Ran smiled. He put the umbrella down and leaned on it. The light fabric almost broke under
his weight, but Mo Ran didn’t care about it. There was not much difference between the brothers
as they were face to face.

“Ah yeah, I got this umbrella from one of the servants, I thought I could give it back to him. I
looked for him everywhere, but no result. This is the only part of the palace that is left to search.”

Taxian Jun watched the umbrella carefully. He finally remembered the jade pendant on it. He
personally bought it for Wanning!

Realizing this, more than one thing ran through his mind. Mo Ran really thought Chu Wanning
was a servant. Only a servant at his palace! Oh, only if he knew….

The second thing was that Chu Wanning lied to him last time. He told he hadn’t met Mo Ran, but
clearly, seeing Mo Ran with Chu Wanning’s umbrella made it clear they have met. He would need
to teach Chu Wanning next time how to behave and never dare to lie to his emperor.

“I can give it to him” he said, reaching for the umbrella.

Mo Ran pulled the umbrella back and took a step back. Yeah, like he would give the umbrella to
him! This was his only excuse to go and see that pretty omega in white!

“I still need to thank him properly.”

Taxian Jun wanted to insist, but then a brilliant idea flashed through his mind. Only if he could
arrange a meeting for them and making Chu Wanning give the poison to him… ah, it would be so
perfect! He wouldn’t even need to wait too much! But he would need to plan everything carefully,
the murder can’t be so obvious…

“Fine. But you should wait a few days. He is terribly ill now. He needs rest and no one can bother
him.”

Maybe he was exaggerating a bit, but Mo Ran wouldn’t know. His little brother seemed to think
about it before he nodded.
“I won’t bother him then” he said softly. “Did you plan anything for today? I thought we could do
something together in the city” he said and grinned “It’s been a while since we spent some time
together.”

“…”

Taxian Jun wanted to say no in an instant. But seeing how excited his brother’s eyes looked, he
hesitated. He didn’t know why. Maybe he saw the child in him…? Ridiculous, he was no longer a
child!

“…just the two of us? I don’t have much time” he told him.

“Just walking in the gardens is also fine” Mo Ran said and smiled.

So he turned around and continued his way walking by his big brother. He was rather cheerful,
letting the sunshines warming his face. Taxian Jun didn’t know exactly what to say. He never
expected Mo Ran wanting to spend time with him. Usually no one wanted to spend time with him,
except Song Qiutong. But he didn’t care much about her.

“I feel so bad for being born so late. You were so old when I was born, you never wanted to play
with me” he laughed.

“Yes, I was so annoyed by you.”

Mo Ran laughed cheerfully, putting the umbrella over on his shoulder. He kept walking with him
until they reached the emperor’s living quarters. There they stopped and Mo Ran patted Taxian
Jun’s shoulder.

“I’m glad I’m back, brother.”

He was truly happy. Since he spotted the white robed omega in the crowd, he grew pretty
interested about his new life here. There were some pretty omegas in the western states as well, but
none of them were as beautiful as this man. And thinking that he was right around the corner, in the
same palace as him… where could Taxian Jun find such servant as him?

Taxian Jun forced his facial muscles into a slight smile, showing his fangs a bit.

“Me too, Mo Ran” he said. He really should say something else. He must get away from him as
soon as possible.

As he was thinking about what to say next, Mo Ran just nodded and bowed his head a bit. He
walked away with the white umbrella in his hand. Well, at least he was respecting his brother as
the emperor. Taxian Jun was kind of proud because of it. But Mo Ran was still dangerous.

He watched him disappearing behind the corner then he walked into his room and carefully closed
all doors and windows. He was not working at all as he told so. How could he? He needed to think
of the perfect plan so he could get rid of Mo Ran.
 Chapter 4

It happened a few days after Mo Ran encountered Taxian Jun at Song Qiutong’s living quarters.
Chu Wanning, even though the imperial physician advised him otherwise, came out of his room
and went to the pavilion in the yard. He made tea without calling any servants and he also used the
precious teacups he got from Taxian Jun as a present. He had broken some once while he was
wailing during their sexual intercourses. He had carelessly put the cups near the bed, no wonder
they accidentally pushed them off the table.

The weather was warm, and the sky was clear. Chu Wanning thought it would even do some good
to his health. He held the hot porcelain cup in his hands and latched his trembling, cold lips onto
the edge. What a nice time to enjoy the peace and quiet.

In the whole palace, he loved his own little courtyard the most. In his first few months here, he was
locked into his quarters and only Taxian Jun and a few servants came here to serve him. Since
then, even though he could go out of the courtyard, no servants dared to come in, being afraid of
Taxian Jun’s anger.

This was his quiet piece of heaven. Taxian Jun gave him anything he wanted, but he preferred to do
everything without help. If he needed flowers, he would go and ask the gardener for some, if he
needed tea, he would ask for it at the kitchen. No one would have dared to come to Concubine
Chu’s residence anyway.

Little he knew that the prince of the empire had entered his little heaven, seeking the servant who
had given him his umbrella. Mo Ran knew that the servant must be around here. He even prepared
some medicines for him, just to have even more excuses to come.

To tell the truth, he could not keep the servant out of his mind for too long. He often recalled his
long legs, the slim waist under the robes, the clean white skin that was like porcelain. This time, as
he walked toward this part of the palace, he didn’t meet either Taxian Jun or Song Qiutong to stop
him. He held the white umbrella and the medicines under his clothes, on his chest.

His grip tightened around the white fabric as he entered the courtyard and finally looked at the
servant he had been looking for.

His whole figure was elegant as he sat there, under the roof, holding his teacup, but eyes kept on
the sky on a bird that was flying around. It was a small sparrow, nothing interesting. But this
servant, he watched it as if it was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.

The sparrow soon flew out of the courtyard over the walls and the white robed man lowered his
head, taking a sip from his tea.

Mo Ran frowned. No servants had teas like this man. They were never alone and never had their
own little pavilion to begin with. But this elegant omega… who was he exactly? Something was
strange about him.

He might have let out his scent without noticing it, because the omega turned suddenly and glared
at him, his phoenix eyes shining in disbelief and some curiosity.

Mo Ran couldn’t hide anymore, he walked closer to him, holding the umbrella up. Even though he
was the prince, this servant of his brother didn’t stand up to greet him. He didn’t even bow his head
or say anything. Just stared, and Mo Ran couldn’t decide if his look was so charming he couldn’t
say anything because of it, or the man couldn’t actually talk, or if the man was mean.

“I brought your umbrella back. It was very useful, thank you.”

Chu Wanning took the umbrella and leaned it against the table.

“It was nothing” he answered finally, his voice not being harsh nor quiet.

Mo Ran grinned. He sat down on one of the chairs even though he wasn’t invited. The man glared
at him some more because of it. He was a bit surprised. No one came to his courtyard and no one
wanted to join him while he was having his tea. Taxian Jun accompanied him only once. And Chu
Wanning ended up bent over the table, cups shattering on the ground and his robes being torn.
Taxian Jun gave him the new porcelain teacups after this incident.

“I heard you got sick, I also got you some herbs” Mo Ran told him, seeing that he wouldn’t say
anything else. He took the little sack out of his robes and put it on the table.

“Thank you. I’m better now” he told Mo Ran and took another sip from his tea. He wondered if he
should go inside for another cup or not. How long would he stay?

“I’m glad to hear that. Bro said you couldn’t have any visitors while you are sick…” he tilted his
head, examining the slim figure again. Why was he so strange? He seemed so sad just a moment
ago, now his whole body was stiffened as if he wanted to run away and shut the door on Mo Ran’s
toes.

Chu Wanning didn’t really know how to deal with the situation. Taxian Jun’s orders were not this.
Mo Ran shouldn’t be here now. He should be far away, playing around, not giving a reason for
Taxian Jun to kill him. He was still just a child.

Mo Ran watched him, his brain working hard, trying to figure out how to make him open up to him
or at least speaking. When he thought of a genius idea, his smirk grew wider.

“As I can see, you are still really pale. As you probably know, I’ve been studying in the western
states, I learnt a perfect method how to help someone when they are sick” he said. All of these
were lies of course, but he didn’t want to put down his act. He put the hands on the table with
palms above. “You just need to give me your left hand.”

Chu Wanning seemingly thought of it, then hesitantly placed his hand in Mo Ran’s palm. Mo
Ran’s eyes lit up and he took his hand in his hands. He blew on it, then let go of it with one hand,
starting to draw circles on his palm with his finger. He made a concentrating expression and
glanced up only once to see the omega’s reaction. Chu Wanning was paying attention only to their
hands, concentrating, maybe wondering if he could feel any changes or not. It amused Mo Ran and
quickly looked back down to continue his “treatment.”

He held Chu Wanning’s fingers then moved them and pulled on them one by one. The omega
furrowed his brows but said nothing, still.

In the end, Mo Ran just blew on his hand again and raised it up so the back of Chu Wanning’s
hand touched Mo Ran’s forehead. The omega immediately pulled his hand away and hid it under
the table, with a warning glare.

Mo Ran was pretty satisfied with his idea.

“I helped you healing faster, so I need you to give me something in exchange.”

Chu Wanning’s expression darkened. Shameless prince! Just as his older brother! He had enough
of the deals with Taxian Jun already, but his little brother is also starting to do them now! What a
family!

“Telling me your name would be enough” Mo Ran grinned from ear to ear.

Chu Wanning breathed out. Well, he could do that, even though it was weird he hasn’t heard about
him from the servants or… basically from anyone. He knew that he was the hottest topic among
the people of the palace.

“Chu Wanning.”

“Wanning, what a nice name” Mo Ran smiled, Chu Wanning’s eyes shot a warning glance at him.
Just how could he simply call him Wanning? “What do you do in the palace?”

“…”

What question was that and how was he supposed to answer? He couldn’t just say ‘I’m your
brother’s number one lover, nice to meet you.’ No, he couldn’t even mention that he was a
concubine. Or was this a tricky question? Did Mo Ran already know? Was he just teasing him?

Panic grew in his chest and it took a couple of breaths to calm down enough.

“I’m good with medicine.”

Now Mo Ran was who didn’t find the right words. Good with medicine? Was he a doctor?! Could
he know what he was doing just a few minutes ago was mere bullshit? He must come up with
better ideas and bluffs later on.

“Are you the doctor of my brother?”

“I’m not… not a doctor” he answered and looked down. His hands were trembling. He felt like the
little brother of the emperor wouldn’t just go away so easily. He was so embarrassed and didn’t
know how to lie at all. He was not a doctor, that was true, he was only capable of recognizing
herbs and poisonous plants and make simple potions from them. Taxian Jun also used this excuse
to lure him in his palace. He told him he had wanted to see him and one of the servants needed
medicine too. Chu Wanning was so foolish to believe that after his visit he would be let gone.

“Then... are you just here to make medicine to those who need it?”

Damn it. Couldn’t this prince stop asking? It would be even better if he learned it from some
random servant, but why torture Chu Wanning’s nerves by these questions…

He needed to think of some way to avoid answering. He looked down at the teacup. Should he
sacrifice it? If he ‘accidentally’ crushed it, it would be an excuse to leave. If he just pretended
fainting, Mo Ran would just call more people to his courtyard.

He reached out to grab the cup, but his hand was too stiffened. He accidentally pushed the teacup
and it fell on its side, the hot liquid pouring right onto Chu Wanning’s lap.

He hissed and immediately jumped up from his seat. He didn’t plan it to go like this! He felt his
thighs burning and he saw his plain white clothes getting a brownish color.

Mo Ran got up and hurried to the other side of the table. He was about to lift Chu Wanning’s
robes, but the omega pushed him away fiercely. He was as red as a tomato.
“I just want to help! Chu Wanning, you can’t keep your hot robes on your legs, it will burn them!”

Burn them more? Chu Wanning was already uncomfortable enough. He just planned to crash the
cup, not to overturn it and let the hot tea pour in his lap!

Mo Ran knelt down, not caring about a prince shouldn’t kneel in front of a simple servant like Chu
Wanning. He took out his handkerchief and was about to try and wipe the tea off. But, since he
didn’t want the robes to touch Chu Wanning’s thigh, he wanted to reach up from underneath and
keep the fabric in his hand as he was rubbing the tea covered spot.

Chu Wanning had enough. It was one thing that he was kneeling in front of him (what if someone
entered the courtyard?!) but he was also trying to get under his clothes! He had enough. He really
had to escape now!

His heartbeat fastened. He didn’t wear pants as his inner robes, only a long, plain dress. If Mo Ran
would reach up, under the inner dress, which was also covered in hot tea, he would actually touch
his legs!

He didn’t have any good ideas when he was in panic. He could only think of smacking him in the
face and push him away. So he did that and rushed inside his room, muttering “I need to change my
clothes, feel free to leave any time.”

He couldn’t see the surprised look on Mo Ran’s face who was totally dumbfoundedly kneeling
there. No one smacked him like that, and he didn’t expect Chu Wanning to do that either. He stood
up and only did he realize what he was just attempting. Good work, good work, Mo Ran… you
came to know more about him, and now you do this…

He was standing there for a few more minutes, ears tinted red as if he was waiting for Chu
Wanning to come back. Then he just turned around and left the courtyard. Next time he must come
with a more detailed plan.

During this whole time, Chu Wanning finally took off his outer robes and sat on the bed, pulling
up his inner robes to look at his legs. His pale thighs were now red from the hot liquid and he
noticed that some parts were red on his inner thighs too. How was he going to explain this to
Taxian Jun…? Would he be mad because his perfect skin was ruined? Would he think he had slept
with another man…?

He looked down with a blush on his face. Just what was he thinking about…? He was becoming as
shameless as Taxian Jun…

He quickly took off his robe as well and changed into some light grey clothes and this time he put
on pants as inner clothes. He would only wear pants from now on, even if it meant to offend
Taxian Jun.

He sighed and buried his burning face in his hands. What a relaxing life he could have outside the
palace…
 Chapter 5
Chapter Notes

Smut Warning

Taxian Jun’s pale face finally started to have a color in the warm sunshine. He even turned his
head toward the sky as he walked, being rather smiley and happy that day. How could he not? He
personally went to the city in disguise and bought the perfect poison for his dear little brother. It
was a poison that would take a few weeks to kill someone and was made of the plants of the
western states, and in his palace, there was no one who was expert in western plants. It was perfect
to get rid of the prince.

He passed by Song Qiutong’s living quarters. He didn’t look toward her door, he was not interested
at all, yet Song Qiutong showed up in front of him anyway.

She wore a light blue dress with a silver belt on her waist. She also put on the accessories she got
from the emperor: a jade hairpin along with crystal earrings. She usually wore them to impress her
fiancé, to be pretty and maybe get Taxian Jun like her at least a little bit. Her efforts always seemed
to be useless.

“Are you going to him again?” she asked, not letting him cross right away.

Taxian Jun didn’t understand even a bit why she was like this that day. She has never tried to stop
him from going to his precious concubine before.

“Do you dislike me going to him?” he asked, not like he would care. He hid the flask of poison
under his robes before, so he was not afraid of getting caught or whatsoever. He crossed his arms.

Song Qiutong shook her head and started fidgeting with her fingers. How should she bring this
up… he could be so hot headed… with a bad temper…

“… of course not.”

Her hatred toward the concubine grew stronger day by day. Taxian Jun first visited him once or
twice a week, then nowadays, he passed by Song Qiutong’s quarters almost every day. He came
personally for Chu Wanning. He never came for her, he had never even come to say hello to her on
the way to that whore!

“Then why are you delaying me?”

Out of jealousy? Did Song Qiutong envied the grace and care that Chu Wanning got? Yes, she did.
It was not simple hatred that she was fuming within her chest, it was getting filled with dangerous,
rather aggressive thoughts. Chu Wanning didn’t deserve any of those gifts that the emperor gave
him. He was a lowly no one, just a servant of some family. He didn’t deserve the room in the
palace, the service of the maids, the best food straight from the kitchen, and mostly, he didn’t
deserve the emperor’s love, Taxian Jun’s seed.

Considering how beautiful he was, Song Qiutong thought, him being infertile must be the best joke
of nature. On the outside he was everything that an alpha would desire: cold beauty, silent
obedience, perfect body and a pleasant voice to hear. But on the inside… Song Qiutong had no
doubts that he was rotting. His womb was useless. Even if he could get pregnant, she bet the child
would be deformed and weak. Who would want an omega with such insides? How could Taxian
Jun not see it? How could he still put it in him if he knew how useless his insides were? Wasn’t he
disgusted?

“The temperature is rising these days. Make sure not to be on the sun for too long” she said after a
while. Both Taxian Jun and Chu Wanning had pale skins. It would be truly unfortunate if the sun
burnt them.

“We’ll be careful.” Taxian Jun answered and as Song Qiutong stepped out of the way, he left her
courtyard, heading straight to Chu Wanning without wasting any more words on Song Qiutong.

The future empress was in rage, but she couldn’t show it. She gritted her teeth and returned to her
room. That whore Chu Wanning! He was between her and her fiancé! Only if he left the palace…
only if he left forever…

She should just pay someone to assassinate him. Maybe that could solve the problems within the
palace. Taxian Jun won’t be likely to fuck a corpse…! Then they could keep their wedding finally
and never let anyone interrupt their lives together.

Chu Wanning didn’t think about Song Qiutong as much as she did about him. It was natural for
him to be away from everyone since most of the people disliked him. That morning he made the
tea for himself as he did usually and after he put the leaves away, he picked up a black flask and
poured the contraceptive in his tea. He stirred it and leaned above it. It had an awful smell, and it
was not sweet at all, so he hated drinking it. He usually took small sips until the tea was gone, and
it could take sometimes a whole hour in the morning. It’s not like he had to rush anywhere.

His room was yanked open, and Taxian Jun’s dark figure entered his room. He was grinning, his
dimples quite deep out of excitement. He took a seat in front of Wanning and looked at the tea he
was drinking. The contraceptive gave it a rather strange color as well. Taxian Jun grimaced in
disgust.

“I can’t let you drink that” he said and took the cup away after Chu Wanning took another sip. He
poured it on one of the plants in Chu Wanning’s room. His beloved concubine watched his action
in horror, as if the plant could rot because of the tea right that time.

“… it had medicine in it.”

“It didn’t seem edible.”

“I know it better than you” he argued and watched him with cold eyes. It was not a matter if he
skipped taking the potion one day, but he was really annoyed that Taxian Jun just poured it on his
plant like that! Chu Wanning made the potion with great care!

“Then, sorry, I guess. Who knows what strange foods you eat when I’m not around to take care of
you” he said and moved closer to him, gently wrapping an arm around his waist, the other one
going onto his thigh. Chu Wanning flinched. The burnt part still hurt a bit. “What do you need
medicine for anyway? Why did you not tell me or the physician?”

“It’s nothing serious” Chu Wanning answered, letting Taxian Jun’s hand wander upper on his leg.
“It’s for common cold.”

“What strange recipes you use.”

“…”

Taxian Jun smiled softly, then let go of his leg and reached in under his robes and pulled out a little
flask with the poison in it.

“It’s for the prince. Make sure he drinks it” he said and handed it to Chu Wanning. Chu Wanning
frowned and raised it toward the sun. He couldn’t see through its wall, so he just put it on the table.

“Why do you think I want to give it to him? I don’t even talk to him. He would not accept anything
from me.”

Taxian Jun tilted his head and smirked, pulling him closer a bit fiercely. He leaned close to Chu
Wanning.

“Oh, really? What a fortune, I’ve seen him with your umbrella… how did he get that if not from
you? You don’t just lend your umbrella without talking to him.”

Chu Wanning felt uncomfortable. He put his hands on his chest and pushed him farther.

“I do. I can lend my umbrella without talking to him. But I don’t want to give this poison to him”
he said, but he didn’t even finish the sentence, Taxian Jun already pushed him off the chair and
pinned him to the floor. He undid Chu Wanning’s belt and frowned when he couldn’t touch his
skin under his robe. Was he wearing pants? What kind of joke was this? Why make it harder for
this venerable one to get into Chu Wanning?

“You know I can’t give it to him” he said while he was trying to figure out how to remove his
pants. “Why are you like this? Do you not love this venerable one anymore? Do you not want to
serve him anymore?”

He was getting angry. And when he was angry, his only relief was to fuck his dear concubine. As
if he could convince him with that… he would tease him, fuck him, until he agreed to poison Mo
Ran. Also… could it be that he was still lying? Could Chu Wanning lie to him without him
noticing it…?

“…you…! What are you doing?!” Chu Wanning was not so obedient that day. Or was it because
Taxian Jun gave up figuring out how to remove his pants and he just ripped them off, completely
ruining them?

“Don’t lie to me anymore” he growled low as he lifted one of his legs and kept down the trembling
other one. He noticed the burnt mark on his thigh and he leaned down to nuzzle it. “What did you
do to yourself… you are ruining yourself, dare to lie to me, not obeying me! Why can’t you be a
loyal omega, Chu Wanning?!” his tone was rather soft when he noticed the injury, but then he
remembered all the grudges and became rather harsh. He didn’t like it at all when someone didn’t
do as he wished. “You will give him the poison! You are the only one who can do it!” he yelled,
using his alpha voice.

Chu Wanning stiffened and widened his eyes, before turning his head away and tearing up.

Taxian Jun rubbed his inner thighs and pushed his fingers into Chu Wanning’s mouth.

“Suck them” he ordered, his alpha voice still echoing in the room. Chu Wanning had no other
choice but do it. Taxian Jun was not in the mood have a calm conversation with him. He came so
happily first, but the useless meeting with Song Qiutong and Chu Wanning’s disobedience angered
him a lot.
Silent tears fell from Chu Wanning’s eyes as Taxian Jun continued.

“If you think he won’t accept anything from you, you must get close to him. No touching, though.
Be his friend. Serve him tea. Put the poison in it. After he drinks it, you come to me.” he said and
pulled his fingers after a while. He spread Chu Wanning’s legs and inserted two fingers at once in
him. Chu Wanning let out a soft sound, but nothing more. He covered his mouth all along while
Taxian Jun stretched him enough then flipped him over so he could fill him up nice and deep.

When the emperor started thrusting him, Chu Wanning leaned his head down and bit down on his
white sleeves. He didn’t want to let out any other sound than rapid breathing. He felt betrayed.
Taxian Jun rarely used his alpha voice on him, and when he did, it was only for sexual intentions.
Now he was using it to kill someone.

Not that Chu Wanning didn’t understand why he couldn’t do it himself. He has already killed his
own father, and after it, something awoken in him. Guilt and conscience started eating him up from
within and he often woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare in which his father’s
ghost came back to take revenge on his elder son. That’s why he sneakily made Chu Wanning kill
the empress, so the guilt would not fall completely on him. Chu Wanning hated him for thinking
that he wouldn’t feel anything after murdering someone ‘by accident.’

Taxian Jun could not suppress his conscience for too long. Only Wanning caressing his hair while
asleep could make him forget everything for a long while. Maybe because he trusted Chu Wanning
enough… maybe he felt like Chu Wanning was as guilty as him and the weight was not only
pressing onto his own shoulders, but Chu Wanning’s too.

He did not dare kill his own brother directly. He was afraid of his own conscience and nightmares,
the fear of the prince’s ghost coming back for him. And who else could he ask to do the dirty work
for him? Chu Wanning knew all his secrets. There was no need to bring others into this matter.

“Are you close, Wanning?” Taxian Jun panted as he leaned to his ear to lick it. Chu Wanning
shuddered and started breathing even heavier. “Good… let this venerable one fill you up… let this
venerable one teach you not to disobey anymore… let this venerable one put a little one in you, so
you wouldn’t forget this lesson… this venerable one loves you so much, Wanning.”

Chu Wanning pressed his eyelids together, feeling Taxian Jun reaching into his deepest parts. He
felt like he was going to make a hole into his belly. Every thrust of Taxian Jun was fierce and
rough, but when he was close, he sped up even more and went even deeper. He always tried to
make sure he would impregnate his lover this time. Chu Wanning always hoped for the opposite.

His legs trembled and gave up all their strength as he came, making his white clothes and the
wooden door messy. Taxian Jun always said it was not a matter, someone would clean it up. But
Chu Wanning would have died in shame if someone else had to see what they were doing on the
floor.

Taxian Jun kept his hips in the air with strong and steady hands. He soon followed and finished in
Chu Wanning, his cum filling up his whole belly to the point it even had a little bump because of
it. Taxian Jun stopped, his hand wandering on his belly, imagining he was touching his future son.

Their mixed scents intoxicated the room, filled their minds and the pleasure still pulsed in their
whole bodies. Taxian Jun slowly pulled out and let Chu Wanning’s hip fall to the floor. He was too
weak to keep it up by himself for now. Taxian Jun had lots of stamina and even though Chu
Wanning was getting used to it, it was sometimes still overwhelming.

The emperor picked him up gently and placed him on the bed. He gently wiped the sweaty hair out
of Chu Wanning’s face and lifted his chin a bit so he could press a kiss on his lips. Chu Wanning
moaned a tiny bit into the kiss then let go and covered his bare legs with his robes. He then leaned
back his head, closed his eyes, and breathed out.

“Are you tired, Wanning?” Taxian Jun asked as he played with his hair. “Should this venerable one
keep you company today?”

“Do you not have things to do?” he asked rather quietly, not opening his eyes.

“I don’t, if it’s about Wanning~”

“Get me a new cup of tea, then.”

“I’d prefer to give Wanning a hug then cuddles all day” he said. He got in the bed with him and
nuzzled his hair. He pulled him in his arms, pressing Wanning’s head into his chest. He was still in
his full emperor outfit, only his hair was untidy and a bit sticked onto his forehead. He didn’t care
to get changed though.

Chu Wanning couldn’t protest. Having the alpha voice used on him, he didn’t have any strength to
fight against him for now. However, he would need to fight against it later. He didn’t want to kill
anyone. Not anymore…

He trembled at the thought, so Taxian Jun pulled him closer, covering themselves with a blanket
from the cold. The great emperor felt his heart at peace and home. He was so lost in the beauty of
Chu Wanning, and the concubine was too tired to pay attention to anything else than resting, that
they didn’t hear when someone approached the window, and after a few moments, light boots ran
away on the wooden floor along the corridor that led to Chu Wanning’s living quarters.
 Chapter 6

Mo Ran was sitting on the porch, on the wooden railing that was going all the way next to the
roofed corridors. He leaned against a pillar and seemed to be lost in his thoughts as he watched a
few flowers in the garden being blown by the wind. He only noticed the approaching steps when
the person got really close and eventually stopped next to him.

He lifted his gaze and looked at the white haired servant. Liu-gong was one of the servants he had
remembered and trusted because of this. The servant was already old when he used to take care of
him in his childhood, but as more than a decade passed, he seemed even older. He had long white
beard and his hair was put up in a bun. He had a stern face, yet kind eyes.

“Something seems to bother you, prince” he said softly as he stopped next to Mo Ran, examining
the flower that Mo Ran also watched for a while.

“Yeah… I was just thinking” Mo Ran answered.

“About what, if this lowly one can know?”

“I just… wanted to make friends with one of the servants earlier. Yesterday I went to look for him
again… but when I wanted to knock on his door, I heard voices. Then from the window I could see
him being hugged by someone else.”

“Can it be that the prince doesn’t only want to make friends with him then?” Liu-gong asked softly
and smiled. Mo Ran was so young, naivety and daydreaming filled his shining lavender eyes.

“It can. He is soooo pretty.”

Mo Ran smiled softly at the thought and closed his eyes for a moment, imagining the slim waist
and wet clothes on him in the rain, then recalled the pale color of his feet which he had seen while
he was laying in Taxian Jun’s arms.

“May this lowly one ask, who is this fortunate servant?” he asked softly. He wasn’t trying to
encourage him to go after the omega, Mo Ran was still a prince, so it would be better if he married
a noble young master or lady, but who wasn’t in love with some pretty omegas in such youthful
years?

“He said his name was Chu Wanning” Mo Ran answered, leaning his head against the pillar
dreamingly. He was sure the omega was older than him, but seriously, who cared? He was so
beautiful, like a white lily alone in the night…

Liu-gong paled, his face becoming almost as white as his beard and hair. He gripped onto the
wooden railing and his head slowly turned to look at Mo Ran. The prince was unbothered, still
daydreaming, only listening to Liu-gong with just one ear.

“Can it be that the person who was hugging him was the prince’s brother?” he asked after a few
moments of silence.

“How do you know?” Mo Ran lifted his head from the pillar and his eyes were suddenly filled with
confusion. He even stopped kicking his legs, they just hung down.

Liu-gong sighed and searched for the correct words to describe the situation, which Mo Ran was
seemingly unaware of. Did he really like Chu Wanning without knowing the simplest thing about
him?

“That one servant… is not the best choice for you to like.”

Mo Ran thought of it more. As he tried to remember it more, some details about the room came
into his mind. He could recall the chairs being turned over and some white thing on the floor…
could that be his brother’s…

“But is Mistress Song not my brother’s fiancée?” he asked. It just didn’t make sense.

“She is. But the one he loves is not her, but his concubine Chu. Yet, he can’t marry him because he
needs Mistress Song for his diplomatic matters.”

The information hit Mo Ran in the head, he felt like a cold bucket of water was poured in his neck.
Concubine? The beautiful and clean Chu Wanning?! The omega that he liked?!

He opened his mouth, but he realized he didn’t know what to say. He was unsure now what to do
or what he felt. Chu Wanning wasn’t close to him at all, they talked only once after all. Yet, he felt
angry and disappointed for knowing that he was with someone else. He was with his brother, the
emperor!

“… does my bro treat him well?” he asked as he avoided to look at Liu-gong. The old servant
didn’t answer as fast as he hoped he would.

“He gives him everything he wants, even though Chu Wanning doesn’t desire much” he said after
some moments of silence. “I don’t know him well. We’ve only talked a few times, he is mostly
alone in his room, he doesn’t like anyone approaching him. I think he is afraid that anyone who
comes close to him will be punished by his majesty.”

Mo Ran gulped. Poor, poor Chu Wanning. He must be so lonely… did he really choose not to
socialize because of this? Was this not because of his temper? Then he must be suffering…

Yet, before judging, he needed to ask one more question.

“Does Chu Wanning love the emperor?”

“…”

The silence pained Mo Ran. Wasn’t it clear when someone loved another? What was this hesitant
answer?! Was it true and… Chu Wanning actually loved Taxian Jun a lot and now Liu-gong
doesn’t want to say it not to hurt Mo Ran’s feelings?

“I do not know about how he feels” Liu-gong finally answered, telling the truth. “His majesty
treats him well… but I don’t think this is the exact way Chu Wanning wants to be treated. Hence, I
don’t know what he feels for the emperor.”

He was a brave servant to say out such things loud. As he talked, Mo Ran’s gaze lifted and became
filled with hope and daydreamy shining again. He was not in love? Was Taxian Jun forcing him? It
was enough for him to keep visiting him and try to look behind this matter.

Liu-gong, seeing Mo Ran’s expression change again, quickly added:

“But prince, I really advise you not to get involved in this matter! Many servants were fired only
because they looked at him for too long! He is the most guarded jewel of the palace!”
“Those were servants. I’m his brother!” he said happily and jumped o ff the railing. His young
heart was filled with hope and some childish desire to adventure the way to Chu Wanning’s body
and soul. He grinned. He really wasn’t planning anything. He didn’t plan on kissing him or see that
slim waist without robes anymore. He just wanted to see what kind of person he was. How long it
would take to piss him off, to embarrass him, to see how he would react to different phrases and
situations. It sounded fun with such an omega as Chu Wanning. “What could he do to his own
brother who just wants to be friends with a servant?”

He put his hands behind his back like a little boy as he walked away, leaving Liu-gong there alone,
with a rather sad look.

“…no alphas become “just friends” with omega servants” he mumbled after a while. He just
wanted to take care of the little prince, but he seemed to be failing in this matter.

Mo Ran headed straight to Chu Wanning’s living quarters. His thoughts about becoming friends
with Chu Wanning didn’t last long. As soon as he peeked inside the room through the window, and
saw the man inside, his childish thoughts became rather bestial.

Chu Wanning was asleep, his bed was right under the window that Mo Ran chose to peek through.
This fragile man curled up into a little ball, facing the wall and the prince. Sunlight danced on his
pale skin and his loose white robes made him even more breakable. He didn’t use the dark blanket
in the corner of the bed, his legs were not even covered with the clothes he had on.

Mo Ran gulped. His feet were perfect. And his face was so pretty. He was about to get hard.

He saw Taxian Jun hugging him yesterday. Since then, the room was cleaned up. The table and the
chairs were in order, the floor was wiped up, and Chu Wanning’s cheeks were no longer rosy pink
tinted. A teacup was standing on the table, steam rising from it, and it had some strange smell that
Mo ran could feel even out there.

He wanted to go in and touch his hair, touch his shoulder, which was not covered with the lose
clothes. He wanted to pull him in his arms, hug him and feel his heartbeat, hear his soft sounds that
he would let out and grip his inky black hair that must be as soft and light as a flower’s petal.

But at the same time, his legs were unable to move, he wasn’t able to look away, to bear himself
take his eyes off until he would get inside and pull him in his lap. So he stayed and watched him
sleeping, his eyes wandering from his slightly opened lips to the furrowed, thin brows.

Mo Ran couldn’t stand it anymore. He quietly opened the window and reached down to gently
touch the man’s hair. It was just as he imagined. Inky black flower petals, as soft as the clouds. He
picked a lock up and leaned closer to the sleeping omega. He closed his eyes a bit.

Gentle summer breeze stroked his cheek and the sweet haitang scent of the man’s hair mixed with
the other flowers of the garden.

Mo Ran let go of the lock of the hair and started brushing out the strands from his face. The more
he touched the wonderful hair, the more peaceful Chu Wanning’s expression became. His brows
were no longer furrowed, his curled posture loosened a bit, he almost stretched out his legs.

The prince’s heart was warmed, and he felt like his happiness could overflow any time within his
chest. How could a person as beautiful as Chu Wanning exist? He wondered where Taxian Jun had
found him and how he managed to take him as his concubine. Chu Wanning didn’t seem a lustful
person, nor someone who would do it for money. Was he really forced? Poor, poor little fairy…
He kept stroking his hair and leaned even closer. Chu Wanning closed his mouth and moved his
head into Mo Ran’s touch. The prince’s hand trembled, his lips parted as he stared the omega in
front of him. Just… just how cute could he be?

He placed his hand on his cheek and he started to pet his face under his eye instead. His skin was
even softer than his hair. He wanted to lean down more, get in the bed next to him and nuzzle the
beautiful pale skin.

He didn’t realize it, but this was the point where his simple liking toward the omega started to turn
into something more. He was starting to fall for him.

Chu Wanning’s eyelids fluttered as a sign that he would wake up soon. Mo Ran quickly stroked his
face once more before quickly pulling his hand away and deciding that it was the perfect time to
leave. He wouldn’t be able to explain this to Chu Wanning if he woke up.

He rushed out of the courtyard and quickly headed back to his own room. His face was deep red,
and when he lowered his head, he noticed that he truly got hard from just touching Chu Wanning’s
hair and cheeks. If it was possible, he blushed even more and ran all the remaining way to his
room.
 Chapter 7

Get close to him.

Serve him tea.

Put the poison in it.

The words still echoed in Chu Wanning’s head even a day after he had heard them. He knew they
would disappear soon – he could resist to obey until now, soon they would go away. At least that
was what he had heard. Until now, he always fulfilled Taxian Jun’s wishes when he used his alpha
voice, but those were just some dirty things in bed, this was something way different.

He closed his eyes and sat at his table motionless with the tea with the contraceptives in it and the
little black flask that contained the poison. He meditated a lot that morning, until he felt his
muscles fully relax and being able to push Taxian Jun’s words deep into the back of his mind.

Yet, when he opened his eyes and reached out for the tea, his gaze fell on the flask and his hand
began to tremble so badly, he accidentally made the cup turn over and the suspiciously tinted tea
spilled on the table.

He cursed under his breath. Now another potion was wasted because of such ridiculous things!
Now he was running out of contraceptives… he really should make some more and not caring
about poisoning the prince, or Taxian Jun calling for him. No, he had to do his own job too! He
needed to prevent getting pregnant and give a miserable life to a child…

Even though he was always against it, deep in the heart Chu Wanning was still an omega. He took
his medicines but couldn’t help and imagine sometimes what it would be like if he could walk
around in the palace with a little one dressed in gold and silver. He had seen some omega servants
with their kids living in the palace. Taxian Jun treated them well.

But he also knew that his body and strength was not enough to give a healthy child to the emperor.
He knew the rumors about himself among the servants, and he had to admit that they were true. He
doubted he could keep the baby in his womb for more than two months.

He sighed and glared at the flask of poison right next to his tea. He really should do something
with it. It can’t stay here. Nor it can go to Mo Ran’s belly. He should destroy it.

He picked it up with trembling hands and walked over to the plant where Taxian Jun spilled his tea
earlier. If the poison kills the plant, he can just say that the strange tea murdered the poor green
fellow.

He pressed his lips together. The voice of Taxian Jun became louder and aggressive in his head as
he opened the flask and held it above the plant. Then the voice became loud screaming and Chu
Wanning had to close his eyes and massage his temple as he poured the poison into the pot until
the last drop.

He panted and his head hurt when he was done. His hand was still trembling, but the voice became
distant and soon it completely disappeared. He got up and stumbled over to his workplace, where
he crushed the plants, boiled the potions and made all his medicines. He shattered the flask on the
table then threw the shards away with a low growl.

It was done. He will not take anyone’s life. Not again. How will he make up an excuse and lie in
the eye of Taxian Jun? He didn’t know. But he would figure it out. He was not afraid. What could
Taxian Jun do to him? Lock him up again? Forces himself on him until Chu Wanning passes out?
Both happened already and Chu Wanning was still alive. He would still be alive after this too.

He looked at the teacup and stared at it for quite a time. He then drank the rest of the liquid and
then put the cup away. It had different taste than the ones before. It was kind of burning down on
his throat and in his belly too. He didn’t care much about it though, just got up and put on some
casual light grey clothes and looked around in his room, thinking about what he should do. Since
he didn’t have to do anything other than pleasing the emperor, he had plenty of time to waste. He
sometimes tried to plant flowers in the courtyard, read the books he could find in the palace, or just
produce more contraceptive potions. He would truly need those now that he wasted another flask.

He walked to the small box where he kept the black flasks and sadly constated that he was out of
herbs. He would need to ask a servant to go to the city to get some for him.

He walked back to the bed and looked down at his knees. He couldn’t make more potions. Then
what should he do? Try to look for Taxian Jun to see what he was up to? He always wondered what
kind of emperor he really was… he couldn’t see the impact of his work on the empire from the
palace and if he asked the servants, they would praise the emperor anyway.

Somehow, the prince’s face flashed through his mind. He didn’t understand it why he remembered
him suddenly. Was he the one who could give him the answers he seeked? Or… should he go to
him simply because his lie would be better if he actually went to him? If he says later that he gave
him the poison and has been to Mo Ran… Mo Ran could admit that he really has been there.

He didn’t think of anything else. He got up and rushed out of his room, heading to the prince’s
room with his chin kept proudly high. He didn’t think of giving the prince a gift as it usually
should be done, he didn’t think of the servants’ confused looks why he was walking so fast.

He was too occupied with the thoughts to have an alibi that he even forgot to knock on the prince’s
door. He just entered and stared down at the prince, who was laying on his bed, reading some
really long sheet with an extremely bored face. However, when he glanced up from the paper and
noticed Chu Wanning, he immediately dropped it on his chest and sat up. His eyes were shining
with curiosity and amusement.

Chu Wanning only realized now how impolite he was. He came in as Taxian Jun usually came into
his room, ready to fuck him so hard that he’d lose his mind. The concubine blushed madly at the
thought and considered just running back to his own room, but he would be even more
embarrassed by that.

“Mo Ran” was all he could squeeze out through his trembling lips.

“Something’s wrong?” Mo Ran asked. He was really curious about his visit now. He never thought
that the beautiful omega of his brother would come to his room all by himself. Maybe his brother
sent him to please his little brother too? Oh, Mo Ran would take that offer!

“N-Nothing’s wrong” the concubine answered and sulked. He wasn’t sure how he should act now
that he was here. What should he even say?

Mo Ran put the book away and playful fire lit up in his eyes. Could Chu Wanning find out that he
was touching his hair? Well, if he could, it would be an interesting conversation. It was already
interesting. He looked down at his bed. If he really came to please him like he did to Taxian Jun, he
must make sure not to ruin the best sheets.
“Then you just came to make friends with me?” he raised a brow. He stood up and walked around
him. Chu Wanning took a step away from him every time Mo Ran turned to look at his other side.
Chu Wanning knew this kind of look too well. To think the two brothers were this similar…
Taxian Jun also cornered him like this then leapt and tore him apart with his fangs like a ferocious
beast.

After a round, Mo Ran walked to the door, opened it and peeked out at the corridor. No one was
coming. He came back after he carefully closed the door and made sure no one would enter.

Chu Wanning gulped. Just what was he doing?! He didn’t understand this prince at all.

“…kind of.” he mumbled, and Mo Ran’s face lit up even more. Chu Wanning stood there
cluelessly, not daring to look into his eyes. He was so nervous he felt his belly burning from it. Or
from something else.

Mo Ran stepped closer and reached out for him. Chu Wanning jumped away in an instant. The
burning in his belly increased and he looked at Mo Ran terrified. Was he not scared that he would
lose his life if he touched the emperor’s beloved concubine?

“Let’s have tea” he said. After all, Taxian Jun told them to have tea.

Mo Ran frowned. He couldn’t understand anything now. Was he forced to come here and please
the prince? Did he truly love Taxian Jun? Or… was this actually about something else? Did he
want to discuss something in private? To tell the truth… Chu Wanning looked paler than the time
he played with his hair.

“I order some. Please take a seat” he said and walked to the door.

Chu Wanning sat down and put his hand on his belly. It hurt so much. It was like burning a hole in
his stomach from inside. He started sweating a bit and he just wanted to return to his room and curl
up in his room and sleep. Maybe it would be better to skip the tea.

“Wait” he called Mo Ran, who turned back and looked at Chu Wanning’s pained, yet strict
expression. He closed back the door and walked to him, kneeling in front of him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Chu Wanning was startled. It was the second time that Mo Ran, a royal prince was kneeling in
front of him. Why was he doing it? Chu Wanning was not even close to nobility…

He turned his head away, his ears a bit pink from embarrassment.

“Actually, I won’t stay long” he said. He would come back later for the tea.

“Why did you come then, Chu Wanning?” Mo Ran asked sweetly. His gaze was fixed on his pale
face, never ever looking away.

“I… I haven’t been outside for years… you’ve seen the world… tell me something” Chu Wanning
didn’t know why he started to talk about it. It was the first thing that has come up in his mind, he
couldn’t help. And why did he think that he can ask directly Mo Ran? The little brother of Taxian
Jun? Why did he trust him? He had no clue about that. Trust was not something he often
experienced. He trusted Taxian Jun too and what happened…? He got locked up in the palace for
the rest of his life. What would happen if he trusted Mo Ran this time…?

“…yes…?” Wanning was so silent, and he looked so pale. Mo Ran was getting low-key worried.
“What kind of emperor he is…?”

Mo Ran seemed startled by the question. He was expecting everything but talking about the empire
of his brother. He frowned.

“Like… if he is good or bad…? If the people like him or not?”

“Exactly” Chu Wanning said and bent forward. He had to close his eyes. His stomach hurt a lot
and heatwaves ran through his body from time to time. Mo Ran seemed to be more concerned
about his state than his question. He put his hand on Chu Wanning’s knee and leaned closer.

Chu Wanning could almost feel Mo Ran’s hot breath on his heated, sweaty face. He looked up at
him, the phoenix eyes still trying to seem strict and unbothered. Yet, Chu Wanning’s fragile body
gave up the fight too soon. Before he lost consciousness, he remembered one thing: the black flask
on his table that contained the poison. It was so similar to the contraceptive’s bottle, he must’ve
accidentally put some in his tea that he drank in the morning.
 Chapter 8
Chapter Notes

Smut warning, again

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Mo Ran’s face was blurry in front of him as he opened his eyes. He could barely focus, and his
body wasn’t moving at all. Why was Mo Ran leaning above him anyway…?

A strange feeling started to form in Chu Wanning’s heart. Was Mo Ran going down on him? Was
he about to put it in, to conquer him?

He couldn’t feel any clothes or blanket on himself, even though he wore his inner robes. His body
was too numb to realize it. He blinked some, but the prince’s face was still blurry, and he seemed
to lean even closer when he saw Chu Wanning’s eyes opening.

The concubine’s first thought strangely wasn’t that he wanted to escape to save the prince from the
anger of his brother. No, warmth started to bloom in his chest, and he felt it going up to his cheeks,
making him blush madly.

He parted his lips and tried to talk, but only a soft moan left his mouth. Amazing. He couldn’t
move, couldn’t see, couldn’t talk. This was even worse than Taxian Jun’s aphrodisiacs.

Mo Ran put his hand on his forehead and then pat his numb shoulder. Chu Wanning let out a soft
sigh of relief. He could feel when he touched him after all. So nothing was going on down there,
fortunately…

“Don’t worry, you’ll be able to move soon” the prince’s voice sounded soft. “You were poisoned
by a very rare poison… luckily it wasn’t much or else, no one would be able to save you” he said.
“It’s strange… it was a poison from the western states… what a fortune I learned how to cure it”
he even chuckled a bit, but Wanning just felt he was suspicious. Why would anyone have some
western poison here….? It would make no sense.

He opened his mouth again, trying to talk, trying to explain it dumbly, but Mo Ran put his index on
his mouth, shushing him.

“Save your energy. No one knows you are here with me… I thought it would be safer. After all,
someone is trying to poison you.”

Chu Wanning blinked some more and stared up at Mo Ran, with his vision fully cleared. What a
stupid prince! Who would want, who would dare to poison the emperor’s beloved concubine? The
prince was thinking too much.

His hand slowly moved, and he put it on his belly. It was not hurting anymore. Whatever Mo Ran
did to him to cure him, was effective. He just felt kind of thirsty and hungry. Mo Ran followed his
movements, and when his hand stopped on his stomach, his face darkened, for some reason he
looked rather sad and betrayed. He couldn’t help but ask quietly:

“Are you pregnant with my brother’s child?”

Chu Wanning almost choked on nothing. He started coughing and quickly removed his hand from
his belly. Ridiculous!

“Impossible” he managed to cough out.

Mo Ran’s face changed in an instant. His dark expression disappeared in a mere moment. His eyes
lit up with friendly, warm fire. He leaned closer and opened his mouth to say something, but in the
end, he didn’t say anything, just leaned back with slightly pink ears.

Wanning managed to push himself up and sit up, leaning against some pillows on the bed. He
looked down at himself. Despite he couldn’t feel it, he did wear his white shirt and pants, and even
a brown blanket was put on him. The blanket that was used by Mo Ran to sleep. He was slightly
embarrassed by the thought.

“I put your outer robes there” Mo Ran pointed at the table where Chu Wanning’s clothes laid,
nicely folded.

Chu Wanning pulled the blanket upper on his chest as if he was afraid of Mo Ran being able to see
through the light fabric. Mo Ran looked away and scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

“You… do you have any idea who could have done this to you?”

“It was an accident” Chu Wanning growled. He was already tired of this topic. Damn all those
stupid poisons…

“…you took it accidentally? How?”

“…” Chu Wanning didn’t want to explain it. He didn’t care what the prince would think of him
because of his silence.

Mo Ran studied his face for a while then he gave up and turned his gaze away again.

“So… you asked about my bro before you passed out.”

Chu Wanning nodded slightly. He wanted to know how the people lived in Taxian Jun’s realm in
these past years. He wanted to see if they loved their emperor or wanted to rebel. If they were
happy or unsatisfied.

Mo Ran seemed to be lost deep in his thoughts for a while. Then he turned to him and smiled
brightly.

“Why don’t you let me show it to you?”

“Show me?”

“Yes! The life in the capital, the people in the surrounding villages! They don’t recognize me, so
it’s fine!”

Chu Wanning’s mouth curled down. Did this little prince not know he was locked up in the palace?
If Taxian Jun knew about this… only, by seeing Chu Wanning sitting in another man’s bed would
turn him into a ferocious beast!

“Mo Ran, I can’t leave the palace. The emperor doesn’t let me leave, he is too afraid I would try to
escape.” he tried to explain.

Mo Ran’s eyes should have turned sad again, Chu Wanning thought. But instead, his eyes just
shined even brighter than before. Little he knew about the complicated thoughts that ran through
the prince’s head: too afraid to escape? Is there a chance Chu Wanning would run away? So even
if my bro loves him, it’s not sure if it’s mutual! Chu Wanning might not love my brother at all!

The prince cleared his throat.

“I mean, I can sneak out with you secretly” he offered “We can cover your face with a veil… no
one will recognize you at the gates… and who would dare to decline my orders? I can get you out
and show you the city, the villages.”

“Taxian Jun would notice. We would be in trouble” Chu Wanning tried to reason, but deep down
he liked the idea a lot. He hasn’t been outside for such a long time… he was more than eager to see
what happened in the past years.

Mo Ran seemed to notice that bit of eagerness in his eyes. He smiled and reached out to grab his
hand and squeeze it.

“Chu Wanning, trust me. I can escape with you unnoticed and get you back before my brother
starts looking for you.”

He looked deeply into the phoenix eyes. He was mesmerizing, trying to persuade Wanning with
his gaze only.

“…but…” Chu Wanning was still not convinced “He can look for me any time…”

Taxian Jun sometimes came early afternoon, or late in the night to have sex with his precious
concubine. Chu Wanning had to be ready all the time. He really didn’t know when the safe time
was to sneak out with the prince.

“He must leave the palace too sometimes. Business trips and such I guess” Mo Ran shrugged. “I’m
free any time. Just come to me when you feel like you are safe, and he is too busy to start… uhm…
you know what with you.”

Chu Wanning blushed madly. He didn’t need to say it like that! Chu Wanning felt ashamed. He
cleared his throat.

“He must be already looking for me.”

He didn’t know how much time has passed since he fainted in Mo Ran’s room. To think it was
already late night and he was nowhere when Taxian Jun needed him… he would face a difficult
night.

He got up with Mo Ran’s help, but he didn’t let him help with all the walking and dressing. He
clumsily tied his outer robe. His hands were still trembling a bit and his body was not always
obedient. He was about to start tying for the third time, when hard steps could be heard from the
corridor.

Chu Wanning’s hands slowed down even more as he felt the strong, familiar scent. Mo Ran also
could feel it. He took some steps toward Wanning to help him with the last piece of clothing,
before Taxian Jun would arrive, but they were already too late.

The emperor opened the door without any warning, his tall, black figure even seemed intimidating.
His lavender eyes flashed at Chu Wanning’s improper clothing, Mo Ran, standing so close to him,
about to touch him, and the bed, that was clearly used for… something. In his imagination, he
quickly put the puzzle together, and the result made his blood boil.
“Chu Wanning” his voice was harsh, almost at the tone of the alpha voice. “You’ve disappeared
for hours. Come with me.”

Chu Wanning looked down and followed him outside without looking back at Mo Ran. The prince
just watched them leaving with a faint smile. Neither of them thought of how seriously Taxian Jun
misunderstood the scene in the room.

After passing by a few corners and leaving Mo Ran’s living quarters walking beside Taxian Jun,
Chu Wanning grew more and more nervous. The emperor was mad. And it didn’t seem like a
simple sexual frustration that could be solved with a passionate night with Chu Wanning.

They reached the inner gardens. The moon was already high up in the sky, a few clouds were
slowly floating in front of it, making the night even darker. Almost a whole day passed since Chu
Wanning got up and left his quarters to go to Mo Ran.

Taxian Jun suddenly grabbed his shoulder and pushed him against the wall. Chu Wanning groaned
as the alpha’s fingers dug deep into his flesh. His other hand went to his neck, squeezing it so
much, Chu Wanning trembled, gasped for air, he felt like he can break his bones any moment.

“-why?” he asked, and Taxian Jun let out another hiss. The question just made the hands squeeze
even stronger.

“Do you even need to ask?” Taxian Jun hissed, Chu Wanning gasped for air again. He lifted his
hand, holding onto Taxian Jun’s, fighting to remove it from his neck. “I told you to poison him, not
to go and sleep with him… you little slut… how could you… is my cock not enough for you
anymore…? With my brother, with our enemy?”

Chu Wanning suddenly realized why he was so mad. His messy clothes, the bed…

“Not… true…” he tried to talk, but he was so short on air “I… did… did not…”

His face started to become blue from the loss of oxygen. He still struggled though, both of his
hands tried to remove Taxian Jun’s strong iron fingers with little success.

“…you… misunderstood…” he groaned.

“Oh? Do you think this venerable one could misunderstand such thing?” he asked, his face cruel
and annoyed. He pulled him away from the wall and threw him away with a single hand. Chu
Wanning landed on some blooming flowers, his white, fragile body completely destroyed the work
of the gardeners.

He coughed and curled up into a ball before lifting his head up to look up at Taxian Jun. His face
was pale, the mark left by Taxian Jun’s hand was red on his neck. Chu Wanning looked confused,
pained and mostly afraid. Would Mo Ran receive the same treatment as him?

Taxian Jun walked closer and grabbed him by his chin, forcing him to look into his eyes.

“I only let you explain it because I love your pretty, suffering face” he growled. “You better come
up with a nice story.”

Chu Wanning suddenly didn’t feel so comfortable telling him the truth. It was both shameful
and… it went against Taxian Jun’s orders anyway. He didn’t plan telling him about destroying the
poison after all…

“I…” he coughed and covered his mouth. His chest was waving from the coughing. “I went there
to fulfill your orders… then I suddenly fell sick…I fainted… he took care of me…”

He took his hand away from his mouth. It was bloody. He was not sure if his throat was damaged
by Taxian Jun’s hand, or it was because of the poison. Taxian Jun’s gaze flashed down before he
could wipe it in the grass. However, the blood made him kind of believe Chu Wanning was telling
the truth.

“Do you still remember the two most important rules you must not break?” Taxian Jun asked, his
voice still cold, but he was not holding onto his chin that fiercely.

Chu Wanning nodded. How could he not remember….?

“Never leaving the palace” he whispered “and only… only…”

“Say it.”

“… only loving you…” it felt always so hard to say, even though he didn’t even need to say ‘I love
you’ directly.

Taxian Jun let go of his chin and pulled his hand back. He squatted there and just watched how
Chu Wanning tried to pull himself together, trying to get up, earn his pride back as if nothing
happened a moment ago.

“Prove it” he suddenly talked. “Prove you still only love me.”

Chu Wanning almost started coughing again. He stared at the emperor’s face, into the cold, yet
amused lavender eyes. Prove it?

“How?” he asked. His voice was raspy and slightly trembling.

“Figure it out by yourself” he ordered calmly and sat on the grass in front of him. His black,
crowned figure was cold, yet elegant. The lavender eyes were almost shining with evil amusement
in the dark. Or was it just Chu Wanning’s imagination…?

He gulped and sat on his heels in front of him. The two men, sitting in the flower garden, in the
dark night almost looked calm and intimate for a bystander. Yet, Chu Wanning pursed his lips and
his whole body was tensed. Taxian Jun in front of him was as silent and as patient as ever.

They sat there like that for quite a while. Then, Chu Wanning suddenly moved. He knelt up and
crawled closer. He closed his eyes and kissed Taxian Jun on the lips. For a moment, he just rested
his mouth against his, but then he started to deepen the kiss as he learnt it from Taxian Jun. It was
usually him, who just let the other do whatever he wanted to do with him, but now, they switched
roles. Taxian Jun opened his mouth, let him in, but didn’t kiss back, didn’t bite on his lips, didn’t
wrap his arms around his waist.

Was this really the Taxian Jun he knew?

He leaned back and opened his eyes. His cheeks were burning with shame, he just hoped Taxian
Jun couldn’t see it due to the dark.

“Is that all?” Taxian Jun asked, his eyes closed, his voice and face expressionless. “I thought you
would show me how much you truly love me. Are you afraid to fuck with me? I will think you
willingly slept with my dear little brother…”

Chu Wanning pursed his lips, his hands trembled, and his face was as red as the roses. What kind
of blackmailing was this…? Did he really need to do it to save Mo Ran’s innocence?

“R-Right here?” he asked quietly.

“You can do it anywhere with the one you love, can’t you? I own this whole fucking palace,
Wanning. No one is around.”

Chu Wanning was still not completely convinced. However, he slowly undid the clumsy ties he
made in Mo Ran’s room and let his outer robe fell on the grass. He then reached out to take off
Taxian Jun’s fur coat and his black robe. Taxian Jun didn’t say anything, just cooperated as Chu
Wanning was undressing him. Once his chest was completely bare, he laid back on the grass and
put his hands under his head. He was watching the starry sky and the clouds passing by the shining
moon.

Chu Wanning took off his pants and knelt in the grass with a very ashamed and embarrassed
expression. Since he started wearing pants instead of robes, he thought of keeping the top piece on
his chest. It was long enough to hide himself a little bit if someone passed by at this late hour…

Now came the hard part. Taxian Jun’s brown inner pants were still on and the venerable cock that
only visited Chu Wanning’s holy insides were making a bump at Taxian Jun’s groin. He was not
hard yet, but Chu Wanning still felt shy to touch there. He pulled at the ties, but he could already
feel the hotness coming from his body. It just became even hotter, when Taxian Jun’s long member
was revealed.

The concubine gulped and looked at Taxian Jun. The emperor stared back at him with cold
lavender eyes.

“Would a true lover hesitate so much?” he asked.

Chu Wanning didn’t react. He leaned down and took him into his mouth. He didn’t consider
himself as an expert, but only one touch was enough for Taxian Jun to get hard. It happened so fast,
Chu Wanning almost started coughing again. He rather let go of him after a little while and went to
kneel above him. He shut his eyes and lowered himself on him. He was used to taking the whole
length inside for the first time, yet he let out a soft moan to please his emperor. He started moving
up and down, but his movements were rather slow and unsure. After all, Taxian Jun usually guided
him, held his waist, told him where to move.

Taxian Jun also knew this and soon got bored of this. He grabbed Chu Wanning’s waist and
switched places with him. He got above him and started thrusting him at a rather slow pace.

Chu Wanning wrapped his arms around his neck and his legs around his waist. It could be the sign
of their love or the sign of their tradition. Taxian Jun could be so bold, so fierce, so rough… he
needed to hold onto something not to lose his mind completely.

Taxian Jun leaned down to nuzzle the mark his hand left on Chu Wanning’s neck and listened to
the restrained moans and heavy breathing. It was clearly not enough for him, yet he didn’t go faster
or started teasing him.

“Chu Wanning” he called him. “Can you see the starry sky? Can you see me?”

Chu Wanning looked up and gripped his long inky hair as he watched his handsome, pale face and
the shiny, white flames in the sky. He nodded.

“Isn’t this what people call romantic?” Taxian Jun asked.

“Probably” Chu Wanning agreed with another heavy breath.

Taxian Jun sighed. It seemed like he was rather bored and jealous. And maybe betrayed. He
completely stopped moving in him in a while. Chu Wanning was more scared than curious why he
stopped. Taxian Jun to not being in the mood for sex…

Chu Wanning gently scratched the back of his neck and played with his hair slowly.

“I only have you, Wanning… no one else in the world is as good as you” he said quietly. His hot
breath hit Chu Wanning’s neck and he barely kept his own body up.

Silence came. Neither of them moved or said anything. It was both awkward and threatening to the
concubine.

“I like you” Chu Wanning whispered after a while. It was hard to say it, but his chest felt less
heavy after saying it out loud. This was the first time he confessed. He has never felt any courage,
any need to say such things. But this time… he could feel Taxian Jun’s despair, he knew the
emperor would just grow madder if he didn’t reassure him, if he didn’t give him the warmth he
wanted.

And after all those years… Taxian Jun deserved to hear it from Chu Wanning and not only feeling
his unsure caressing on his hair and cheeks.

Taxian Jun’s breathing stopped for a moment and his heart skipped a beat. He leaned away, so he
could look at his face. Chu Wanning’s red, embarrassed and sincere expression made him believe
it. He hugged his little body tightly on the grass and Chu Wanning felt the hot rod growing harder
in his body. Taxian Jun didn’t waste any more moments. He started moving again, his thrusts were
fast and fierce, and Chu Wanning couldn’t help but let out louder moans and his hand gripped onto
his hair. He felt like his belly can be punctured at every thrust.

“Slower… ah... slow down…” he moaned out, his voice pitiful and pitched. Taxian Jun’s face
grew even more lustful just by hearing his pathetic begging. He kissed him deeply to silence him.

He didn’t even think of slowing down. Chu Wanning’s everything was too distracting to think
straight, to think about how Chu Wanning felt. He came together with his concubine. Chu
Wanning threw his head back, his legs gave up and they fell off Taxian Jun’s waist.

The emperor stayed in him for a little while, enjoying the warmth and the thought of his seed
filling up Chu Wanning so nicely. He kissed his neck several times, letting Wanning to try and
catch his breath.

“Loving you… and you loving me… only me…” he whispered in daze. He sat up and pulled him
up too, hugging him tightly.

Chu Wanning panted and laid his head against his shoulder. He felt something flowing down on
his thighs and he both felt embarrassed and exhausted. Taxian Jun finally pulled out and just kept
him in his lap, hugging him close to his burning chest. He felt his eyelids growing heavier, he
didn’t even feel the strength to ask Taxian Jun to carry him to bed. He passed out there on his
shoulder, drooling a bit through is parted lips.

Taxian Jun stroked his hair and kissed his temple. He soon picked him up and started walking with
him towards Chu Wanning’s living quarters. He didn’t care about their clothes laying around in the
garden. Someone would pick them up later.

As he walked in the moonlight, he couldn’t turn his look away from Chu Wanning’s beautiful, pale
 sleeping face. His hair was let down and it was messily hanging, some of the locks even sticked to
his sweaty face. His lips were swollen and red from the passionate kissing.

He was so busy taking in his concubine’s beauty, he missed seeing his fancée’s darkened face in
the candlelight that she was holding. Once Song Qiutong’s future husband and the other man in a
single light shirt passed by her living quarters, she went back inside her room and blew out the
candle, thinking of Chu Wanning.

Chapter End Notes

Sorry for the slow update ;-;

Also, thank you for all of your kind comments, you are really sweet and you make me
so happy! <3
 Chapter 9
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Mo Ran’s heart was light when Chu Wanning agreed to sneak out of the palace with him. He was
like a teenager whose very first love agreed to go on a date with him. He was floating above the
ground and his eyes were always dazed, daydreaming about the upcoming events, since, Mo Ran
was extremely sure about it, their little adventure in the city would be a date. No matter what Chu
Wanning thinks.

His daydreaming sessions only ended when he was seeing his brother coming from Chu Wanning’s
headquarters. It happened at least once a day, and whenever Mo Ran witnessed it, the pink cloud
that was covering his eyes, suddenly left, and a somewhat dead expression appeared on his face.
He was jealous. He couldn’t help but imagine the pure, beautiful Wanning under his brother’s
body, crying helplessly for anyone who can save him. He was sure their “meetings” were going
like this.

Yet, he couldn’t just go to Chu Wanning and spend time with him any time. Once he was walking
towards his house, he encountered Taxian Jun, who seemed really pissed seeing him there, and Mo
Ran, no matter how much he wanted to go, he didn’t dare.

Something told him he should wait until a better chance came to visit his favorite servant in the
palace. He could only go while Taxian Jun was having important meetings in the main hall or
joined the troops for training. That time, Mo Ran went to Chu Wanning and had some tea with
him. Chit-chatted about little nothings, and just leaned on the table, admiring the beauty of Chu
Wanning.

They didn’t talk about the concubine’s relationship with the emperor. Chu Wanning just urged him
all the time to leave before he gets back and sees him here. Mo Ran didn’t know why the cute little
Chu Wanning wanted him to leave. He sometimes felt like Chu Wanning really prefers loneliness
and dislikes him for always coming to bother him. But then, he always calmed himself down. Who
would not like him? He was the prince. He was handsome and charming.

The perfect chance to take him out of his prison was almost a week later than their agreement.
Taxian Jun left the palace to go out and hunt with some of his elite guards and noble guests. The
hunt would be going for three days, and Mo Ran was invited too – but the prince rather faked an
illness than going.

Once he was done waving at his brother leaving on his black steed, he ran straight to Chu
Wanning’s living quarters. He opened the door with hasty moves, but once he stepped in, he was
stunned by the sight. His heart started beating fast and his breathing became hard.

In the room, Chu Wanning wasn’t naked or did anything inappropriate. He was just sitting by his
table, combing his long, inky long hair. He pulled all to one side, and as he tilted his head, his pure
white neck was revealed.

There was no marking on it, no hickeys, no nothing. It was as clean as the fresh snow and Mo Ran
felt the need to go over, hug him from behind and nuzzle it. He would take in Chu Wanning’s
scent, then he would kiss it slowly, tenderly. Chu Wanning’s hands would move onto his arms,
giving him a gentle squeeze and letting him go on. Mo Ran would move him closer to the table, so
he could hold onto the edge as the prince would slowly pull up Chu Wanning’s robe and in all the
happiness and pleasure they would experience, Mo Ran would once again kiss his neck, then he
would bite him hard, ruining his beautiful neck until he bleeds.

Chu Wanning turned his head and threw his hair back over his shoulder. He frowned and glanced
down. Mo Ran seemingly got hard from something. He rather didn’t want to know what from.

The prince woke up from his daydreaming and coughed a bit, pulling his tunic downer a bit. Well,
it would go away sooner or later, wouldn’t it?

“Wanning, my brother is gone. Take your veil and let’s go” he said, trying to sound more cheerful
than excited.

Chu Wanning slowly got up from his seat and went to his closet, taking out a bamboo hat with a
white veil on it. He stared at it for a while, then he took out a grey cloak too, handing it over to Mo
Ran.

“It’s hot, I don’t need it” the prince told him.

The concubine pursed his lips and forced himself not to look down at that hard thing that was
making a tent in his pants. But he couldn’t say to wear it to cover himself!

“Just put it on” he insisted, and Mo Ran took it with a sigh.

Chu Wanning also put it on his head and pulled the veil in front of his face. He looked up at the
prince. He was ready to go.

Deep in his heart, he was looking for it as much as he was afraid of it. It’s been so long since he’s
been out there… and this time, he wasn’t going out like a free man. In everyone’s perspective he
belonged to Taxian Jun, and his place was in the palace. But as an imprisoned bird always wants to
fly up to the sky, Chu Wanning also longed to leave this place, experience again what it feels like
to be alive, to be free.

He just hoped Taxian Jun would never find out about this trip.

“Can you see anything? From out here I can’t even see your face” Mo Ran said and took his hand
“Come on, I’ll lead you” he said with a warm smile and Chu Wanning didn’t have time to argue.
He was led out of the room already, on the way towards the main gate.

Chu Wanning looked down to hide his blush that appeared on his face. He didn’t look anywhere,
he didn’t dare to look, not even when they passed by Song Qiutong’s living quarters. The woman
saw them from inside but didn’t make a single sound so neither of them knew she was there.

Mo Ran led him straight to the stables where his strong western steed was standing. He had
already prepared it earlier, so they just needed to get on its back and ride out of the palace. Mo Ran
pat the neck of his giant horse.

“Come, get on, Wanning” he called him.

“… are we going to ride on the same horse…?” he asked.

“Yes, he can carry us both, don’t worry!”

“…”

Chu Wanning wasn’t sure. If anyone saw him sitting on the same horse as the prince… but Mo
Ran looked so excited and sure about it. He had to give in with a sigh.

“Help me up” he told the prince and Mo Ran lifted him up by his waist, putting him on his horse’s
back. Then, he also got on, sitting in front of Wanning and petting the steed’s neck again.

“Hold onto me tightly” he told Wanning softly. “Once we leave the gates, we will run, and my
horse is as fast as the lightning” he said proudly.

He didn’t have to say it twice. Chu Wanning already felt dizzy sitting on such huge horse. It was
just way too big for a human in his perspective… the ground was too far away…

He wrapped his arms around Mo Ran’s waist and gripped onto his clothes. He shut his eyes close
when the horse started walking.

The prince straightened his back and tried to hide his wide grin that appeared on his face in the
moment Chu Wanning’s arms were wrapped around him.. He nodded to some servants and guards
as they left the stables and walked on the road to the gates. It was late in the afternoon, the people
of the palace were still working hard. Hopefully none of them could recognize Chu Wanning under
the veils.

Maybe we should have come during the night – the thought flashed through Mo Ran’s mind when
they reached the gates and he smiled at the guards. He didn’t know how strict they would be with
them. He was only so confident to convince Wanning, but he wasn’t sure if the guards would obey
the emperor’s order, or the prince’s. Hopefully the prince’s if they didn’t know it was about Chu
Wanning.

“Where are you going, your highness?” one of the guards asked kindly. They needed to know
where he was in case of an emergency after all.

“Just to the city, having dinner and such with this pretty maiden” Mo Ran answered cheerfully.
“We’ll be back by the night” he said.

Chu Wanning gripped onto his clothing more. Who was a pretty maiden?! What bullshit was he
saying to these guards?

Luckily, the soldiers rarely saw Chu Wanning, so they couldn’t recognize him just by his figure.
They just nodded and opened the gates for them. Mo Ran didn’t even wait until the it was
completely opened. He kicked the sides of his black steed and his horse abruptly started galloping.
Chu Wanning gasped and bit his lip not to let out any other sounds.

The horse was indeed fast, and they were soon on the crowded streets of the capital. Mo Ran didn’t
slow down though, he kept his horse going as if they were chased by someone, as if they needed to
escape as soon as possible.

From the sudden moving and the bouncing on the horse’s back made Chu Wanning unsteady. His
hat fell off and landed in the middle of the street, revealing his shocked, panicked face.

“Mo Ran!” he tried calling him, but the prince seemed not to notice how panicked he was. He
grinned as he made his horse run even faster and shouted at the people to get out of their way. He
was such a mischievous person.

The citizens shouted back at the crazy horseman and jumped out of his way quickly. Chu
Wanning, being so afraid that they might recognize him, buried his face deep into Mo Ran’s back.
He didn’t dare to look down, to look around. What if someone saw him outside of the palace…?
After a few minutes the horse started to slow down, and they reached the less crowded side of the
city. A few vendors were here, selling their goods to the locals. The inner someone lived in the
city, the richer they were. In the middle was the emperor’s palace and all the nobility’s houses. In
this district most of the people were rather poor but they could still make a living since the peasants
came to these parts of the city mostly to buy the most important things for their lives.

Chu Wanning finally dared to look around. The buildings were similar to the ones inside the palace
yet… so different. They were less fancy here and the ones living in them weren’t wearing
uniforms, they weren’t directly the part of something… something so big they couldn’t even
imagine.

The concubine watched the people doing their shopping, talking to each other, a few children
running about with kites, two mothers singing lullabies to their babies on the stairs of their house.
So many scents came from all directions, and he couldn’t help but straighten his back and move his
head around to feel all the impressions of the outskirts of this city.

“Where are we going?” he asked Mo Ran after a while.

“To the fields” the prince answered. “We are starting there and then we are coming back into the
city.”

Chu Wanning nodded. They soon reached the city walls. They were dark grey, almost black, and
even higher than the houses. A few soldiers were patrolling but didn’t really care who was coming
in and who was leaving the city. Chu Wanning could still remember the first time he came inside
these walls. He came because the emperor called him. That time, he didn’t know these walls would
be his outer cage, so he didn’t mind them so much. They were just as the other city walls in the
country. But right now, as they went under them with Mo Ran, he felt like the hard, steady walls
could fall on them any time, just to prevent them from leaving.

He hugged the prince more and buried his face once again in his back until they completely left the
city.

They were out on the large fields now. The wheat was bending in the gentle wind, they were
already golden from the sunlight, they should be harvested soon. The paved road that was running
in the city, out here completely disappeared and only a wide dirt road led to the city gates. Peasants
with baskets full of fruits and a few horsemen were heading towards the lively capital. Only a few
people were leaving, wanderers and farmers who were heading home. A little village could be seen
in the distance, with a green forest behind it. Mo Ran was heading there with Chu Wanning.

The concubine finally let himself take a proper look around. His lips parted as he saw the
neverending golden fields and the high, misty mountains in the distance. In the palace, the walls
and houses always covered them, so he was not able to see their beauty. He almost forgot they
were this mesmerizing.

Mo Ran turned his head back a bit and smiled at him.

“How do you like it here?” he asked.

“It’s so spacious” Chu Wanning answered. His gaze was inspecting the horizons and the distant
houses. He did not look down, so he didn’t fear the heights at all. Mo Ran lifted his hand and put it
over on Chu Wanning’s arm. He was glad the concubine loved the scenery so much. He didn’t
know how long he had been trapped in the palace, but it must have been torturous if he was able to
look at a simple wheat field like that.
They soon reached the village at the forest and a few children immediately ran over, shouting
happily.

“It’s gege! Gege is back!” the small children wore ragged clothes, but the girls had some really
pretty jade hairpins in their hair and the boys had silver belts around their waists.

“Do you know them?” Chu Wanning asked Mo Ran.

Mo Ran shrugged with a smile.

“Just some little guys I have visited once since I came back” he said. He got off the horse and
grabbed Chu Wanning by the waist, helping him down too. “I gave them candies, since then they
love me a lot” he chuckled.

“Where are the accessories from?” Chu Wanning asked. He remembered Song Qiutong wore
similar hairpins to these. He frowned. This couldn’t be a coincidence.

“… I guess they are from my brother. When I first came here, they mixed up us… I didn’t tell them
about my identity and that was my brother though. These are all poor children… I guess my bro
wanted to cheer them up somehow” he said.

A little girl hugged Mo Ran’s leg and the prince picked her up and started tackling her. She
screamed for help among her laugh and more kids ran over, trying to “rescue her” somehow.

Chu Wanning’s heart warmed up by the scene and the things he heard. Taxian Jun… actually came
here to take care of the poor children and gave them presents…? He never talked about it in the
palace…

And Mo Ran was the same. He came here, giving candies to the little ones, and the kids seemingly
loved him as if he was their true big brother.

Mo Ran squatted down, giving milk candies to each of the little children. As they nommed on it,
their eyes flashed to Chu Wanning from time to time. Truth to be told, Chu Wanning started
salivating at the thought of eating one of those delicious candies, and when he realized how his
face must have looked, he quickly turned away. He must have made such a weird face to these
kids!

“Gege, gege, who is pretty omega?” one of them asked, tugging on Mo Ran’s sleeve.

Mo Ran tilted his head at the question then turned back to Chu Wanning. As they looked at each
other, a smile started appearing on the prince’s lips. The wider it grew, the warmer it became. It
almost looked like Mo Ran was shining, just as brightly as the sun.

Chu Wanning’s heart skipped a beat. His smile, his expressions were so much like Taxian Jun’s…
but Mo Ran was still different. He was childish, mischievous, and young… yet so warm, so bright,
so kind…

He had to lift his sleeve to his mouth and look away with a cough, as he felt hotness flowing into
his cheeks.

“He is a really good person” Mo Ran answered to the kids. He grinned and watched the kids
staring at Chu Wanning even more. “Do you think he is pretty?”

“Pretty!”
“Has a nice scent!”

Mo Ran nodded and turned his head back to Chu Wanning. He grinned, his dimples growing
deeper.

“Yeah, I also think he is the prettiest” he said.

Chu Wanning widened his eyes and had to turn away, to hide his blush even more. He coughed
some more and muttered something about going and finding some water. He left with hasty steps
and covered his red cheeks with his sleeves all the time.

Just what was happening?! It was not the first time someone complimenting him… Taxian Jun told
him countless times how cute, how beautiful, how breedable he was. But Mo Ran, saying it so
innocently… and why did it make his heartbeat so fast and his legs so numb?

He stopped at the border of the village. He let down his hand and fluttered his sleeves. The sun
was shining brightly, the wheat bending in the gentle breeze was so calming. He couldn’t help but
forget about what happened a few moments ago and just enjoy the scenery, the free wind hitting
against his cheek, his hair flowing around him.

He closed his eyes and took some steps forward. He reached out and pulled his hand over on the
spica. A small smile played on his lips as he walked inner and inner into the field. he felt like he
could lay down here and just spend the rest of the day here.

“Hey! You! Yes you! What are you doing, trampling down my crops?!” a loud, aggressive voice
came from one of the houses.

Chu Wanning opened his eyes and blushed in embarrassment. He quickly left the field on the path
he came in and looked down, trying to hide his shameful expression.

“Good.” The man, who was sitting at the window in one of the houses, looked away and returned
to whatever he was doing.

Chu Wanning stood there for a little more, totally dumbfounded. He didn’t know exactly where to
go or what to do now. Luckily Mo Ran came over, leading his giant horse and carrying a water
bottle. After all, Chu Wanning told him he was thirsty.

Mo Ran handed him the water and Chu Wanning just held it, not knowing what to do with it. He
had already forgotten about what he was muttering when he left Mo Ran and all the kids behind.
He rather just tied it on the horse’s side, not caring about Mo Ran’s frowns.

“…can we go back to the city?” he asked then, rather quietly.

Mo Ran smiled and instantly agreed. He stepped forward and put his hands on Chu Wanning’s
waist. The concubine looked into his eyes, then quickly flashed his gaze down in embarrassment.
He hadn’t noticed earlier how big hands the prince had. He was lifted up from the ground, and he
only realized what was happening, when Mo Ran tried to put him on the horse’s back. No way he
was going back up there! It was frightening enough once! How could he daze off just from Mo
Ran’s touch that he didn’t realize what he was doing?!

He kicked and struggled in the air until he could get down.

“H-How about walking?” he asked.

Mo Ran agreed. He led his horse slowly and watched Chu Wanning’s face with a soft smile. The
 sun was setting behind the city, and its red rays were painting Chu Wanning’s pale face
beautifully. He didn’t seem like a white porcelain doll in the bright lights. He looked alive, blissful,
and peaceful.

The prince reached out to take his hand in his. Chu Wanning slowly looked down at their
intertwined fingers. His face was expressionless, Mo Ran couldn’t decide what he was exactly
thinking. Did he not like it? Did he want to let go and don’t talk anymore? Or was he enjoying it?

“What are you doing?” Chu Wanning asked, his voice also emotionless. It even gave the
expression of an innocent question. Mo Ran wanted to laugh.

“Warming your hand. It seemed very cold. Can I keep warming it for you?”

Chu Wanning kept looking down, but in the end, he didn’t say anything, just kept walking beside
the prince back to the city on the dusty dirt road. His head was a mess.

And it was just getting worse.

Chapter End Notes

I'm so amazed how fast I am with this story now! Idk what's happening but I hope
inspiration wouldn't stop.

Coming up: can a single prince lay a not so single omega just after one date? We'll
find out in the next chapter!
 Chapter 10

The sun has completely set by the time they arrived back to the city. The people were lighting up
their lanterns that hang down from the roofs. The vendors have already packed their stands and
returned to their homes.

The prince and the concubine walked hand in hand. Neither of them talked, just enjoyed the peace
and calmness that was in the air around them. Chu Wanning didn’t ask where they were going, but
the more time passed, the more he felt the urging of his stomach to eat something. When it loudly
growled, he blushed madly and looked away.

Mo Ran instantly turned to him and looked down at his belly. He then chuckled and squeezed his
hand a little.

“I’m also hungry, let’s get some food” he said and pulled him over to a restaurant. It was very tiny,
the people who ate here usually had to sit down outside, on the street, since the building was just a
single kitchen.

He led the horse away and left Chu Wanning there to choose whatever he wanted. The concubine
got really embarrassed by the fact that he didn’t have any money with him. Taxian Jun always
provided him everything without asking for anything in exchange. Yes, they had sex many times,
but it clearly couldn’t be considered as payment.

When Mo Ran returned, he confessed with very red cheeks.

“I don’t have my purse with me.”

Mo Ran blinked some, he seemed a bit surprised. He then just grabbed his hand and pulled him to
a table.

“Don’t worry about money. I’m rich after all and planned to treat you anyway” he chuckled and
gently massaged Chu Wanning’s stiff shoulders after he pushed him down on a chair. “Just wait
here, I’ll be back soon”

Chu Wanning could do nothing but wait there silently. He hoped Mo Ran wouldn’t bring him
spicy food… it would be so embarrassing leaving it untouched…

A few minutes later the prince returned with two big bowls of soup and a large plate full of
wontons. Chu Wanning started salivating instantly. The soup was the sweetest kind of he has ever
eaten. Did Mo Ran know his preferences or…?

“Luckily they still had some leftovers. They were about to close the shop” Mo Ran chuckled and
pushed a bowl over to him and started eating hungrily.

Chu Wanning took the bowl and the spoon and bit his lip as he stirred the delicious looking soup
before tasting it. It was indeed very sweet! He didn’t waste any more time, he started eating just as
fast as Mo Ran, finishing his bowl in no time. Then he reached for the chopsticks and looked at
Mo Ran in front of him.

“Do you like sweet food?” he asked.

Mo Ran finished his bowl and put it away, also grabbing his chopsticks. He smiled.
“No, I prefer spicy food.”

“…”

Chu Wanning had the slight suspicion that Mo Ran purposely didn’t order any spicy food. Little he
knew that the prince asked Liu-gong for advice about what food the concubine liked.

Mo Ran lifted a wonton with his chopsticks and held it to Chu Wanning’s mouth. He smiled
cheerfully in the lantern’s sparkles. His inky hair was shining with golden light. The concubine felt
his heart speeding up again. He opened his mouth and took the wonton with his teeth.

“Eat up or it will get cold” Mo Ran told him, and Chu Wanning started eating by himself. He
straightened his back and tried to keep his face, acting as if he hadn’t taken a wonton from
someone else’s chopsticks a moment ago.

They soon finished eating and Mo Ran carried the bowls and the plates back to the restaurant. Chu
Wanning got up and praised the prince in his mind about how considerate he was.

When they were once again on the streets, Mo Ran left his horse at some tavern and promised the
innkeeper that they would return for it that night. Now it was only the two of them, enjoying the
peace and quiet on the streets. The working people have already returned to sleep and just some
misbehaving kids were running about with cutely painted lanterns.

As they walked inner, they realized that only the people in the outer district went to their beds. On
the two sides of the river that ran through the city, vendors still stood at their stands and showed
their goods to all who passed by. Many young couples and close friends were walking under the
bright lights. Mo Ran and Chu Wanning looked nothing different as they enjoyed the market hand
in hand.

Mo Ran stopped by a man who was selling candied apples. Each of them was pierced through with
a wooden stick so one would not make their hands dirty while eating them. Mo Ran purchased one
apple and handed it over to Chu Wanning.

The concubine’s heart thumped loudly as he took the sweet dessert and licked its surface first. It
was indeed so delicious, he wanted to cry. He started eating it, and he was so distracted, he didn’t
even watch where Mo Ran was leading him.

They went to a little island in the middle of the river. There were trees on it, and lanterns hung
down on them, making the little land romantic. Another couple was already there. A young,
handsome boy and a short, pretty lady. They were squatting on the ground, preparing something.

Mo Ran pulled Wanning beside the water and stopped in a distance. He wrapped his arm around
Wanning’s waist, taking advantage of his distraction. Chu Wanning, innocently enjoying his
candied apple, even leaned against him.

The couple on the island suddenly jumped up and ran some meters farther, giggling happily. Mo
Ran could now see it. They were shooting fireworks.

The rockets flew into the sky, and soon blew up. Mo Ran rubbed Chu Wanning’s side a bit to look
up. The concubine has just finished his apple and he was willing to pay more attention to his
surroundings finally. The light of the fireworks reflected in his golden eyes. Mo Ran made the
sacrifice not to look at the show in the sky but look at Chu Wanning’s face.

Chu Wanning indeed seemed happy. He was not like an encaged bird anymore who was looking at
the sky and the other birds flying away, then looking at his own broken wings and golden bars,
wishing he could also go up there and fly far away. Now he looked like he already owned the sky.
It was natural that the firework was for him, it was his sky after all. He experienced what flying
was like, and now he felt like he was going to do this in his whole life.

The couple cheered and hugged each other. Mo Ran also turned Chu Wanning toward himself by
his waist. He placed his other hand on his hip and looked into his eyes with his warm, deep
lavender eyes.

“Do you like it, Wanning?” he asked.

“What exactly?” he asked back, his hands slowly sliding onto Mo Ran’s hands. The prince was
afraid for a moment that Chu Wanning would remove them and forbid him to ever touch him
again. But no… Chu Wanning seemed more like he didn’t know what to do with his own hands.

“The city, our trip, the night, me” he chuckled.

Chu Wanning blushed madly. He didn’t even know what to answer all sudden. Mo Ran started
rocking his hips slowly sideways and his hands moved Chu Wanning’s hips too with his own hips’
rhythm. It was as if he wanted to dance with Wanning, but there was no music.

“I like all of that, I guess” the concubine blurted out and he felt Mo Ran’s big and strong hands
pulling him even closer by his waist. Now their bodies were touching, and their faces were only
inches apart. Chu Wanning still didn’t know what he should do with his hands, so he just kept
them on Mo Ran’s. He was as red as the firework they had just seen. He couldn’t hear. He couldn’t
think. The prince’s strong scent (or was it only strong because he was too close?) made his head
spin and he could only see Mo Ran’s lips parting and his eyes closing.

Chu Wanning’s heart started beating loudly, making a very clear warning about what could happen
next and what the consequences could be. Well, Chu Wanning didn’t seem to feel that either.

Mo Ran’s soft lips arrived gently on his sweet, candied ones. He let in the prince completely, not
even trying to escape or push him away once. Their kiss was deep, passionate, yet slow and gentle.

“Your lips are sweet…“ Mo Ran whispered. He wanted to taste them again and again.
“Wanning…” he gulped and grabbed his hands, squeezing them gently. He had to hold onto
something. “…I’ve been liking you since I first saw you… would you… would you please accept
me…? I know you probably don’t like my brother… yet you are staying by his side… it doesn’t
matter if you don’t like me either… but… I really want to… just this one night” he whispered.

The prince’s eyes represented a sad puppy that was left alone in the rain and now wanted the
warmth of the pretty man he’d been following on the streets.

Chu Wanning didn’t even know what to answer. He was so red, he had to look away. No one has
ever confessed him like this. What was even Mo Ran thinking…? Liking his own brother’s
concubine… the emperor’s concubine… was he wishing for death…? Was he too young to
understand? Was he too stupid to get it?

He first wanted to say that he didn’t understand his relationship with Taxian Jun at all. Even Chu
Wanning couldn’t understand it sometimes. And now comparing it to the time he spent with Mo
Ran, everything has just become even more confusing. He never had anyone before Taxian Jun, so
he could only compare the two of them, not being entirely sure, what a “normal” relationship felt
like. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel, when were his emotions blooming and when
were they just simple joy and happiness. He just knew he hated neither of the royal brothers.
He looked down and gently squeezed back Mo Ran’s hand. The prince took it as a consent, and he
kissed his hands before he let them down and started walking back where they have left his horse.
Mo Ran didn’t talk, just held Chu Wanning’s hand, and walked quietly. In contrast, the
concubine’s mind was dizzy and loud as hell. He didn’t know what to think.

Mo Ran liked him. Mo Ran might love him. Now they were going back to his horse, get on it, ride
back to the palace and then… who knows what would happen after then?! It would be so weird
fucking the same omega on the same bed as your brother, wouldn’t it? WOULDN’T IT?

Chu Wanning’s brain panicked. What if Taxian Jun felt his scent afterwards… what if someone
caught them in his room making loud noises… what if… what if…

The concubine noticed that he was not even thinking about refusing Mo Ran and running away
from him. After all… holding his hand felt good… kissing him felt good… he was so gentle… so
humble if it was about Wanning… he didn’t consider him not being gentle in bed either. If they
slept together, he was sure Mo Ran would make sure he is able to walk on the next day.

His body was screaming for Mo Ran, yelling at him to say something, do something, take him as
soon as possible. But his head, his head was refusing it deep down. It knew that this shameless
body belonged to Taxian Jun, and he should not do anything stupid not to get the prince in
trouble… he was just a child and Chu Wanning was ten years older than him at last!

The contrary between his body and mind grew so frantic, that Chu Wanning once again barely
sensed the world around himself. He didn’t find it weird when he and Mo Ran went in the inn
where they left the horse and instead taking it, Mo Ran took a room and led him up there on the
stairs.

Once the door was slid shut, Chu Wanning finally woke up and looked around. So… is it
happening here…? Was he going to let him do him…?

Mo Ran gently grabbed him by his waist and sat on the bed, pulling Chu Wanning on his lap, the
concubine’s knees were placed on his two sides on the bed. He rubbed his sides and looked up at
Chu Wanning. He could see the cloudy eyes, the uncertainty, so he just tried to reassure him. He
leaned closer to finally kiss that pale neck he always dreamed of.

“Don’t be afraid… I know you are experienced… you have nothing to afraid of with me,
Wanning…” he told him.

Chu Wanning trembled. It was like a final push for his body to completely suppress the rationality
of the mind. He wrapped his arms around Mo Ran’s neck and gripped onto his hair as the prince
started sucking it and nibbling on it. His other hand was wandering on his scalp, trying to untie the
beautiful inky hair.

“Don’t mark me” Chu Wanning breathed out and closed his eyes. He felt his hair falling and his
crown piece was thrown away. He also pulled at the ribbon in Mo Ran’s hair and put it aside. The
prince looked even more charming with his hair down.

The next moment he felt something getting hard under him. He widened his eyes and instinctively
tried to move away to see what it was, but Mo Ran grabbed his hips and kept him there, kissing his
neck and jawline even more. His hot breath was tickling and exciting at the same time. Just as
Taxian Jun’s.

Mo Ran started moving Chu Wanning’s hips on his hard member slowly and a few moments later
the concubine was moving by himself, rubbing himself against him. His pants were already getting
wet, and in his embarrassment he tried to take them off. Mo Ran didn’t let him. He only slid his
clothes off his shoulder, so he could kiss and bite him there too, leaving black hickeys all over on
his chest.

Chu Wanning was used to the teasing like this. Taxian Jun was the same. When Wanning rarely
went into heat due to the contraceptives, he would just rub him, tease the insides of his thighs, but
wouldn’t put it in, no matter how much he begged for relief.

He started rubbing against the hard stick in Mo Ran’s pants more, his hands still around his neck
and his head leaned back to let him enough space to explore his pale skin, his fragile body. Chu
Wanning moaned out when his nipples were bitten. It seemed that the two brothers were on the
same level if it was about sex. The only difference maybe that Mo Ran was slower, he took his
time, while Taxian Jun just wanted to claim him and fill him up as soon as possible or making him
beg and tease first until Chu Wanning cried for his cock.

He blushed madly thinking about the past events. How could he beg for something like that…
shameless... he told himself any time the memories of the passionate nights with Taxian Jun all
came back to him.

He opened his eyes and looked at Mo Ran who was trying to remove Chu Wanning’s outer skirt
and then his completely wet pants too. The prince couldn’t help but laugh.

“Do you want me this much?” he asked. “Do you not want to wait anymore?” he teased, gripping
his firm ass.

Chu Wanning gasped and he just leaned against his chest, feeling too embarrassed to admit the
truth. He wanted him a lot. Mo Ran reached down to push up a finger in him. Chu Wanning barely
felt it. He wanted something better. Something bigger.

“Oh, Wanning, I can see you’ve prepared yourself…” Mo Ran mumbled and picked him up by his
legs and stood up with him just to place him on the bed carefully and place himself between his
spread legs.

He only took off his pants now and kissed Wanning passionately, so the concubine couldn’t see the
exact size of that bestial weapon of Mo Ran, only felt it coming up all the way into his stomach.

“A-Ah…”

“You can take all at once…? Impressive…”

Chu Wanning disagreed. He was trained, yes, but not this trained. Mo Ran was cruel to put it all the
way in. he held onto his neck, his toes gripping at the sheets in pain.

“M-Move…” he stuttered. He felt like if they were going to stay like this, his organs will be
misplaced forever. His cheeks were red from shame, and he felt like Mo Ran has shattered his
whole pride just with one thrust. He cried out shamelessly and threw his head back.

It was not so different from Taxian Jun yet being slow like this gave another kind of stimulation to
his body.

After a few more thrusts Chu Wanning’s mind started playing evil tricks on him, or he was starting
to lose his mind again, he wasn’t sure. The man who was above was no longer Mo Ran. Well, it
was only half Mo Ran. The other half was Taxian Jun.

Only the warm seed that was filling up his inside was able to drive him back to reality. He was
panting, his legs and arms just laying numbly on the sheets, hair messy, cheek rosy. Mo Ran
looked the same.

The young prince was out of stamina, couldn’t keep himself up anymore. He fell onto Chu
Wanning and buried his face into his chest. The concubine knew what he wanted. He wanted
comfort, headpats, praising and cuddles. Chu Wanning didn’t feel the strength to do any of that. It
was an exhausting day – and an exhausting night – that will be hopefully secret for a long time.

They were trying to catch their breaths for long minutes. Chu Wanning’s mind started to become
clear and only the exhaustion in his body stopped him from running out of the room, hiding in the
palace until Taxian Jun came back. Just what had they done…? He was the emperor’s concubine…
was this cheating on Taxian Jun…? Or was it never cheating since he could never officially be
together with Taxian Jun? He knew he wasn’t allowed to sleep around with other men… but could
Taxian Jun order something like that when he is not owning him…?

He wasn’t sure if he just wanted to calm himself or he was trying to figure out the real nature of his
relationship with the emperor. His heartbeat sped up and his face looked pained, eyes scared.

Mo Ran lifted his head and leaned his arm on Chu Wanning’s chest, then placing his chin on his
arm.

“Wanning, what’s wrong?” he asked softly, brushing some of the sticky locks out of his face.

“Your brother… if he knows about this…” he breathed out quietly. He leaned into his touch and
closed his eyes.

“…” Mo Ran seemed a little pissed hearing his brother being mentioned. This was supposed to be
their night when they shall not think about Taxian Jun! “Don’t think of that now. Nothing will
happen.”

Chu Wanning opened his golden eyes. He looked sad.

“Mo Ran… don’t be so naive…”

The prince huffed and gently poked his nose.

“Wanning, did you not like having sex with me?”

Chu Wanning’s cheeks became red again.

“It’s not that…” he enjoyed it. He enjoyed it a lot, but he couldn’t say it.

“Do you love me, Wanning?” Mo Ran’s next question was like a dagger at his throat. Chu
Wanning didn’t know! He didn’t know anymore! He didn’t know anything! He only knew he
wanted to keep this young boy happy and safe, and he also wanted to see Taxian Jun being
righteous and healthy!

He felt like he was about to cry. What love truly felt like? Was it what he felt with Taxian Jun or
was it what he felt with Mo Ran? Was it both? Was neither of it love? Why was no one telling him
what he should feel like? How shall he choose?

Mo Ran leaned down to press another soft kiss on his lips.

“I get it. Even if you love me, you can’t say it…” he whispered and stroked his hair. “How about
this… I know a great western magic that helps lovers staying together, even if their situation is
really bad” he said and giggled. Of course, he was bluffing again. But if Chu Wanning didn’t know
it and he could cheer him up even a bit, it was worth trying.

Chu Wanning was stunned for a moment then he just looked down, lowering his head too with red
cheeks. The prince took it as a nod and his heart felt light. Chu Wanning loved him back, even if
their situation was bad and weird. He didn’t know any of the dangers that Chu Wanning feared. He
was so young and naive, he was sure if they worked on the issue they could solve it.

He got up and went to get the pen and the red ink from the table. He sat on the side of the bed and
helped Chu Wanning sitting up as well. He took Chu Wanning’s hand and started painting a red
haitang flower onto his palm. The concubine watched closely and tilted his head. What kind of
magic was it this time…?

Mo Ran handed him the ink and the pen.

“It’s your turn. Draw me a flower too” he said showing him his palm.

Chu Wanning wasn’t sure if he should draw any flowers, or it should also be haitang. He chose the
last and with trembling hands he painted a flower onto his palm too. Mo Ran then put the ink and
the pen away, holding Chu Wanning’s painted hand with his own. He blew on their intertwined
fingers and then kissed both his own and Chu Wanning’s hand then looked at the omega to do the
same.

Chu Wanning felt ridiculous as he did what Mo Ran had just done but didn’t complain. He didn’t
even suspect that the prince always made up all his magic tricks on the scene.

Mo Ran pulled his hand back. The ink wasn’t yet dried on their palms, so it blurred, but the flowers
were still visible. He then just laid in bed and pulled Wanning down as well. He hugged him and
nuzzled his inky hair, taking in his sweet scent. He fell asleep quickly.

Chu Wanning on the other hand, stayed awake for a long time. He stared at the blurred haitang
flower on his palm and felt like his mind was a mess. Just what was the right thing to do from now
on…?
 Chapter 11

Two days later Taxian Jun came home. He properly said his goodbye to the nobles who joined him
on the hunt, then his first way led to his precious Chu Wanning. His heartbeat fastened with every
step he took. He missed his concubine so much in these past days! He always thought of him,
while riding to the woods, when he was pulling up his arrow, while he was laying in his tent alone
in the night. He wondered how he were and if he also missed him. After all, he confessed him last
time!

He saw Song Qiutong sitting on her porch, but didn’t mind her, didn’t care to wave. He held a little
white wildflower in his hand as he entered his beloved’s room.

Chu Wanning was currently making some tea. In his surprise (or was it fear? Shock? Taxian Jun
found his expression weird) he accidentally spilled the on his hand while he was looking up at the
emperor’s face. Taxian Jun hurried over and quickly took his hand in his palm, blowing on it to
cool it down.

The concubine’s ears became red, and he looked away. The red ink on his palm was still a bit
visible, but luckily Taxian Jun didn’t seem to notice.

“Does it still hurt?” the emperor asked him and let his hand down.

Chu Wanning didn’t dare to look into his eyes as he shook his head.

“Please, sit down…” he mumbled to the emperor who willingly took a seat and pulled down
Wanning too. He handed him the wildflower he picked but when Chu Wanning didn’t reach for it,
he just tucked it in his hair, behind his ear.

“You look pretty” he said softly.

Chu Wanning was pouring another cup of tea, but hearing the compliment, he was stunned for a
moment, almost missing the cup again. He bit his lip and kept pouring the hot liquid then pushed it
over to Taxian Jun.

The emperor took it and blew on its surface, not taking his eyes off his concubine. Chu Wanning
looked paler than usual, and his behavior was not normal. What could have happened? Did he not
sleep enough in the past days? Was he sick again?

“Has the physician seen you?” he asked him, sipping on his tea. Chu Wanning was holding onto
his white clothes, refusing to look at him. “Wanning…”

Chu Wanning could barely hear him from his own heartbeat and the blood flowing in his ear. He
was in panic. What should he do? How should he act? He surely… he surely wasn’t the same as a
few days ago…

After their night in the inn, Mo Ran bought him a veil that he carefully put in his hair and said he
looked like a pretty bride. After coming back to the palace, he spent all his time with the prince.
They didn’t do anything improper though – just some cuddling and some kisses on Chu Wanning’s
cheek. Talking about little things, enjoying the warmth of the sun in the concubine’s garden
together.

“Wanning” Taxian Jun called him again, this time also putting his hand onto his hand. “Answer
me. Has the physician seen you? You look sick” he said.
Chu Wanning stared at his hand and then he slowly lifted his head. His eyes were uncertain, pained
and somewhat cloudy. Taxian Jun didn’t understand them at all. All he could do was instinctively
pulling Chu Wanning into his lap and wrapping his arms around his waist, putting his chin on his
shoulder. The concubine leaned back and closed his eyes. Hugging felt good. Calming. His pained
mind wanted comfort from someone.

Taxian Jun started rubbing small circles on his belly. Chu Wanning felt like he was going to melt
into his touch. His legs trembled and as he relaxed back against the emperor’s chest, he almost
started purring. Taxian Jun could see his reaction and he kissed his neck.

“Are you finally carrying my pup, Wanning? Is that why you are so strange?” he asked quietly,
trying to hide the hopefulness in his voice. He would be the happiest if Wanning was finally
pregnant.

The concubine’s eyes shot wide open. He immediately removed Taxian Jun’s hands of his belly.
He gave the emperor some death glares before leaving his lap and taking his seat again to take a
sip from his tea.

“Impossible” he said. “Do you not remember what the imperial physician said? My body is too
weak for it. I would lose it in no time.”

“No, if this venerable father takes care of you” he said with amused eyes.

“Don’t joke about things like that” Chu Wanning stated and quickly drank the rest of his tea. He
couldn’t be pregnant at all. He’s been drinking the contraceptives for years. His womb was
probably nothing but an empty sack now due to Taxian Jun’s rough rounds with him.

Taxian Jun didn’t answer, just also finished his cup. Oh, he loved to tease his pretty little Wanning
so much. He looked so cute with red ears like that and with that very serious expression of his.

“How is the quest I entrusted you with? I’ve seen the prince today; he is still healthy as I saw.”

Chu Wanning looked away again. He wasn’t sure how to say it, what excuse to find. He didn’t
think about it since he accidentally took the poison himself. He bit his lip and trembled in his
whole body.

“I… I’m getting close with him…” he mumbled.

Taxian Jun’s eyes lit up. What good news!

“Does he trust you? Could you give him the poison now?” he asked, getting rather excited.

Chu Wanning wasn’t sure how to answer. He couldn’t tell he didn’t have the poison anymore… he
couldn’t tell he was getting too close with the prince…

“I still need some more time…” he said, and if it was possible, he became even paler.

Taxian Jun leaned even closer and fixed the flower in his hair since it was tilted. He then gently
caressed his cheek. He would give all the time Chu Wanning needed. But they had to act soon, or
Mo Ran would find out about their father’s last wish, and he would want to get on the throne…

Chu Wanning trembled under his touch and Taxian Jun pulled him once again closer. He sat him in
his lap and let Wanning lean his head onto his shoulder. He gently rubbed Chu Wanning’s arm and
kissed his head gently. Back in time, when he rode through the gates in the morning, he was
fantasizing about Chu Wanning moaning and struggling under him. But seeing him in such
condition didn’t get him in the mood. He should call a physician to check on his concubine and fix
him as soon as possible.

“Wanning… tell me, what were you doing while I was away? Did you miss me? Did you ask Liu-
gong when I would be back? Did you get enough food from the kitchen?” he asked softly.

Chu Wanning looked down and just nodded, letting his hair fall over and cover his face. He didn’t
know how to answer so he just nodded to all at once.

Taxian Jun’s fingers were walking up and down on his spine, his other hand was resting on his left
thigh.

“What would make you feel better?” He asked finally and lifted Chu Wanning’s chin with his hand
to force him look into his eyes. However, Chu Wanning was unwilling. He pursed his lips and kept
looking down.

“Sleeping” he mumbled. He wanted to be alone. Would Taxian Jun finally leave if he wanted to
sleep?

“Shall this venerable one accompanies you? I’m quite tired as well” he said. Chu Wanning sighed
and nodded. Well, if this meant they didn’t have to talk.

He tried to stand up, but Taxian Jun pulled him back and lifted him up instead. He carried him to
bed and laid down with him, pulling Chu Wanning’s fragile body close. He spooned him and hid
his nose in the soft inky black hair, while his hands were hugging the concubine’s waist. He let out
his strong alpha scent and let it surround them, making Chu Wanning even more comfortable.

His beloved stayed motionless, breathed softly, and kept his eyes closed. Taxian Jun couldn’t
decide if he was really sleeping or just pretended. He stayed for an hour with him, just keeping him
in his arms and taking in his scent. He then kissed his head once more and got up, fixed the blanket
on him then left the room without making any sound.

He looked up at the sky in the garden. The sun was covered by grey clouds, there would soon be
rain. Taxian Jun looked back at Chu Wanning through the window. He was still motionless; he
was probably truly asleep. He let a small smile appear on his face. If Chu Wanning developed a
fever, he would call the doctor for him. If not, then he would just wait and see what happens.

He headed back to his own quarters, but as he was passing by Song Qiutong’s garden, the woman
came out and hurried straight to him. Taxian Jun rolled his eyes but stopped in his tracks and
waited for her.

Song Qiutong bowed deeply and welcomed her emperor back politely. Taxian Jun wished she
would just get straight to the point.

“I’ve seen Chu Wanning today, your highness. He didn’t look too good. Is everything alright with
him?”

“Hopefully yes” Taxian Jun answered. He was already sick of her sweet, poisonous words. He was
about to leave, but Song Qiutong grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back.

“Aiya, I have another question your highness. Is there a new disease in the city lately? Is that why
Chu Wanning looks sick again? You shouldn’t have let him leave the palace, now you see, he
looks terrible…”

Her words were composed and her eyes amused, shining with some harmful light. Taxian Jun
noticed this and frowned. Something was not right. He joined her little play.

“What are you talking about?”

“Was he actually not allowed to leave while you were away?” Song Qiutong gasped and put her
hand in front of her mouth. “Oh my, then how could this happen?”

“Did Chu Wanning leave the palace?” Taxian Jun’s voice sounded serious and deep. He was
slowly getting madder and madder, and if Song Qiutong wasn’t careful, his anger would hit her
first, not the precious concubine.

“Yes, he wore a bamboo hat and a white veil. He left his living quarters with the prince, hand in
hand! I asked the guards they had seen the prince leaving with a white clothed person on a horse!
I’ve only seen Chu Wanning coming back the next day. The prince also visited him…”

Taxian Jun remembered that Chu Wanning said he was getting close with the prince. Just how
close was this exactly?! What made him leave the palace despite he knew Taxian Jun forbid that?!

“Are you telling me that the prince is his lover?” he growled as he glared at Song Qiutong. The
omega woman trembled a bit, but then she quickly collected herself.

“I do not know what is between them, your highness. But it’s true that they left the palace
together.”

“Why would I believe such bullshit?”

“You can ask any of the guards who were patrolling two days ago, they all saw the prince with the
omega in white who happened to be Chu Wanning” she stated.

Taxian Jun fell into silence. His hands were trembling from anger, and he closed his eyes to try and
think this through properly. It was hard. He started growling and first thought of going back to
Wanning, ask him and see what his reaction would be. If he did leave the castle… without his
permission… then…

Everyone in the city could see him! Lay their eyes on him, eating him up with their filthy mind and
it was just fortune, that Chu Wanning returned to him! Was he weird today because he felt regret
for his actions? Maybe.

Then what about the prince? Did Chu Wanning really escape with his little brother? And did that
bastard do all those unspeakable things to him?! Was Chu Wanning willing to cooperate?! Was he
weird today because he was hiding something?!

He felt like he could take Mo Ran’s throat in one hand and Chu Wanning’s in the other. He could
break their necks.

Song Qiutong put her hand onto his arm.

“What are you thinking, your highness?” she asked with a sweet, innocent tone.

Taxian Jun breathed out loudly and just turned away, growling. He left Song Qiutong there without
an answer, but he didn’t go back to Chu Wanning either. He wasn’t going to look for Mo Ran to
strangle him while questioning about the events of two days ago. He went straight to the main hall
and yelled for Liu-gong. His shout was almost like a roar, as if a dragon wanted to threaten the
surroundings before his anger would strike.
The servants who were in the near, quickly fled from the main hall. Only the old Liu-gong with his
long white hair and beard was willing to face the anger of the emperor. He was as calm as ever as
he approached the furious dragon. He bowed politely and asked what the matter was.

“Has Chu Wanning left the palace two days ago?” Taxian Jun asked, still growling like a ferocious
beast.

Liu-gong seemed to think about it.

“I do not know for sure, your highness. I haven’t seen him leaving with my own eyes, but he hadn’t
attended dinner for so long, I brought his food to his room. It was indeed empty.”

“Could it be that he was with the prince all along?” he asked the next question, growing angrier
and angrier by the answer.

“He hasn’t attended dinner either and he neither was in his room. He rode in through the gates next
morning. He must’ve been out in the city during the night.”

“Did he return with a white robed omega on his horse?” Taxian Jun asked. He couldn’t sit, he was
just walking up and down in the hall. He wished he could crash something in his hands.

“I haven’t seen him leaving nor returning.”

Liu-gong was a loyal servant and knew the secret about the late emperor’s last wish, that Mo Ran
should sit on the throne and not the older, bastard son. Despite this, he was silent, and tried to be
trustworthy for both brothers. He only talked when he was asked, and only told what the question
was about. He never lied.

“Liu-gong” Taxian Jun growled out. “I have an important order. Gather the most loyal servants.
Concubine Chu Wanning might have an affair with the prince. You must investigate into it! They
have to be caught!” he growled loudly, then flickered his sleeves and left with fury.

The old servant bowed again and once the highly respected emperor left, he sighed. He felt that the
peaceful days in the palace were over with the return of Mo Ran. Until now the silent, onesided
war towards the prince was like the restless beginning. Now, this cold war for a single concubine
could become an even bigger, more threatening matter. Just what kind of unpredictable, stormy
days were around the corner?
 Chapter 12
Chapter Notes

Soft beginning, violent ending

Being clueless about the supervising, Mo Ran kept visiting the emperor’s concubine. He always
found some stupid excuses to come – bringing freshly picked herbs, or new exotic tealeaves for
him. He was always cheerful and tried to get Chu Wanning into a good mood too. It was pretty
hard thing to do so because Chu Wanning seemed strangely pale and sickish all the time. Mo Ran
suspected it was because of the guilt he felt for leaving the castle and sleeping with the prince
instead the emperor.

Mo Ran couldn’t fully understand why the concubine was so upset about it. After all, even the
emperor’s omega could choose who he wanted to sleep with beside the mighty emperor, couldn’t
he? Was Mo Ran not good enough for Wanning?

He leaned closer and nuzzled his cheek with his nose gently. Chu Wanning looked away and
trembled. He hugged himself and turned his back to him.

“Baobei…” Mo Ran called him softly.

“Not in the palace… we can’t… what if he sees us…” Chu Wanning muttered. Since he got home
from the city trip with Mo Ran, he felt extremely confused and uncertain. He was stressing himself
so much, he threw up the other day and couldn’t keep down anything other than water. He couldn’t
even drink his contraceptives!

This whole issue was taking too much out of him. Mo Ran saw he was getting paler day by day and
maybe he even became lighter than before. He reached for his hand and squeezed it. At least Chu
Wanning let him touch his hand…

Chu Wanning looked at him and then he just sighed and squeezed his hand back. He really
shouldn’t be doing this. He was just endangering the prince like this… but what else could he
do…? Letting go of his hand seemed impossible… his warm big hands gave him the illusion of
safety…

“Do you feel like eating something?” he asked softly.

Chu Wanning knew well what a great cook Mo Ran was. He had brought him some of his
delicious dishes earlier, they all were sweet and none of them were spicy. But right now… he felt
like he could throw up just from smelling any food.

“No, thanks” he answered.

Out there the sun was shining happily. The sparkling rays came in the room too through the
opened window. The summer was slowly fading away, but the sun still wanted to give its last
warmth to the people on the earth.

A butterfly flew through the window and danced around in Chu Wanning’s room. Mo Ran moved
closer to the concubine and wrapped an arm around him, watching the pretty butterfly showing its
wings proudly to the prince then flying over to Chu Wanning and dancing around him as if he was
a pretty flower. In the end it landed on the tip of his nose.

Chu Wanning was so shocked, he was stunned for a moment, then lifted his hand and waved the
butterfly away before he sneezed. Mo Ran chuckled and pulled him into a gentle hug.

“Baobei, baobei… everyone thinks you are beautiful… how am I gonna fight the whole world for
you?” he asked jokingly.

Chu Wanning’s ears became red, and he looked away. Mo Ran giggled and pulled him back to kiss
his temple.

“You will soon get better, and I will take you out again to see the harvest on the fields. Then we
could enjoy the feast together, eating so many pastries and drink peach blossom wine… I heard
that’s your favorite” he said, and his eyes dreamingly stared out of the window, looking up at the
sky. “Ah, Wanning… we will get out soon again… and I will show you even better things than last
time…”

Chu Wanning leaned against his chest but didn’t look up at the sky. It was too bright, it was too
hopeful compared to his situation. He just wanted to forget about his whole life and lay in the
wheatfield, enjoying the breeze on his cheek and the sunshine on his bare body. He wished he
could be just a single string of wheat. One in the many, whom no one wants to bother because he is
no extraordinary. Or would the ants and bees and other insects still love only him?

What made him so special in others’ eyes? Was it his beauty? He never asked for it. Was it his
intelligence? No one cared. Was it because he was an omega? He wasn’t even capable of having
children.

“Or… if you’d like…” Mo Ran continued, but before he could continue, Chu Wanning’s face
became rather greenish, and he covered his mouth. Mo Ran leaned closer, being rather worried, but
the concubine used all his strength not to throw up. He stiffened his whole body and trembled ever
so slightly. After a few moments his body relaxed, and he leaned against Mo Ran again.

The prince didn’t continue what he wanted to ask. He gently wiped some of his hair out of his face.
He kissed his temple again and rocked him gently. Chu Wanning held onto him as he cuddled up.
He was so weak to think too much about it.

Mo Ran stayed with him for a while, gently rubbing his side and kissing his face all around. He
even pecked his lips some times to reassure Chu Wanning that he loved him a lot. The concubine
felt like he could fall asleep in his arms. He felt so relaxed and comfortable, he wished they could
stay like this for the whole day. He closed his eyes and trembled again as he started to fall asleep.

“Baobei” Mo Ran called him softly. Hearing the nickname, Chu Wanning lifted his eyelids and
looked up at him. “I promised Liu-gong I would choose the flowers they want to plant in my
garden” he whispered softly. “Can I… before I go…”

He leaned closer and Chu Wanning closed his eyes, kissing him gently. The concubine felt like a
butterfly landed on his lips. It was not forceful or deep at all, it was pure gentleness. He wanted to
melt.

Mo Ran gently lifted him and sat him to the table. He got up. He smiled brightly at the concubine
once more before going. As soon as he left and closed the door, he saw a servant standing by their
window, since who knows when. Was he actually stalking them?
The servant in the dark blue clothes noticed him and quickly bowed deeply. He didn’t straighten
his back as Mo Ran passed by him and motioned him to get up. The servant got up but didn’t dare
to look into the prince’s eyes.

“If you ever tell what you’ve seen to anyone” Mo Ran said quietly, with an intimidating voice “you
are dead. You better remember this.”

Then, without looking back, Mo Ran left him there in the garden and put his hands on his waist as
if he had done a pretty good job. His bright smile returned. As he was walking away, he decided to
tell the doctor to go to Chu Wanning and check on him. He’s been so unwell in these past weeks…
but by himself, Chu Wanning would never want to bother the doctor to go to him.

The concubine was indeed frowning when the imperial physician appeared in his door and told
him that the prince ordered him to see him. Chu Wanning let him in only because he knew what
bad it felt to go against the prince’s or the emperor’s orders. Who was Chu Wanning to tell the
servants what was necessary and what was useless among the orders of the two brothers?

He sat on his bed and slid his robes off his shoulder, revealing his pale bare chest and flat
abdomen. The physician felt his pulse, then listened to his breathing too. He found everything in
order, but the sweaty face and the paleness told him to search for other symptoms.

“Since when are you feeling so unwell?” he asked Chu Wanning.

“About a week or two…” he mumbled. He couldn’t remember. Since he got home from the city?
He bet the sickness and the uneasiness was only because of the stress he was put under by being
the lover of two men.

“Have you ever been feverish? Any muscular pain?”

Chu Wanning shook his head. He pulled his clothes back. The physician frowned and sat on his
knees looking over on Chu Wanning. He had examined the omega so many times – he had helped
him through so many colds and other illnesses he caught who knows where. He also had to look
for signs of pregnancy under the watching eyes of Taxian Jun. However, Chu Wanning always
believed he couldn’t get pregnant, and eventually, he was never carrying a child.

But now, he had a suspicion about that being the case.

“Please take off all of your clothes” he ordered. “I want to do further examinations.”

Chu Wanning sighed but did as he was told so and tolerated all the things the physician did to him.
After some long minutes Chu Wanning was allowed to dress up again. The physician’s face was
shining with happiness. The concubine didn’t understand it at all. Why would any doctor be happy
about a sick patient?

“I don’t even know how to tell this” The physician said cheerfully. “His highness will be extremely
happy. His prayers were finally answered, but now we must take care of you well to deliver a
healthy baby for him.”

Chu Wanning’s lips parted. A… what? That cannot be! No, that was impossible!

“I can’t be pregnant” he stated. “I’ve been drinking contraceptives, this is impossible. I’m not
capable of having a child.”

The doctor finally understood why he hasn’t gotten pregnant even once in these past years. He was
silent for a few more moments.
“Well, your body is indeed weak. There is a high chance of miscarriage, but nothing is impossible.
You are pregnant, and since his highness will surely want this baby, I will do everything to help
you well. For now, I have some medication against the sickness.”

Chu Wanning felt dizzy. He wanted to throw up again. His mind, if it wasn’t already in a complete
mess, had shattered now. He sat there like a lunatic, doing nothing, feeling nothing, thinking
nothing. How could this happen…? How could he get pregnant? How was a tiny child in him
despite all his efforts to prevent this?

Then it him without any warning. A few weeks ago, he accidentally spilled out his teas so many
times. He didn’t have enough herbs for his contraceptives. He missed so many times to take his
medication on time.

He buried his face in his hands and wanted to cry. He was pregnant. He was with a child. How
could he be so reckless? He should have been far more responsible… what will this child become
if it’s even born? It would be the emperor’s bastard; Chu Wanning was nothing but a concubine…
what if when Taxian Jun heard the news about his baby he would no longer want to marry Song
Qiutong and instead he would want to put his unofficial child on the throne? The Song family
would be so mad… and the political relations would be cut with that region… the fragile peace
Taxian Jun made would shatter and war would devastate the beautiful lands he had seen with Mo
Ran…

Wait a minute. He had slept with both the brothers just within one week. What if… what if the
child was never Taxian Jun’s?

Who was the father of this unfortunate little baby in him?!

Now he felt like crying even more. How is he going to explain this to Mo Ran? How will he keep
their secret?

A strong, familiar scent reached his nose, and he froze in his posture, widening his eyes and staring
at the door. He quickly put on the rest of his clothes and glanced at the physician.

“Don’t tell him! Don’t tell him a word!” he begged, and the doctor just nodded with a smile. He
would still stay and wait for Chu Wanning to tell the big news to Taxian Jun, then maybe help with
answering some questions.

However, when the emperor yanked the door open, the physician didn’t feel like staying anymore.
Taxian Jun was mad with anger. Strong, suffocating aura was around him, and even Chu Wanning
was confused what could have happened. Taxian Jun’ eyelids were twitching, his hand in fist and
when he saw the doctor, he immediately ordered him to get out. the physician quickly left without
a single word.

Once the door was shut, Chu Wanning dared to ask with a trembling voice.

“What happened?”

“Do you have the right to ask this?” Taxian Jun growled deeply.

The servant, who Mo Ran threatened an hour ago, feared the prince, but feared the emperor even
more. He went to him and reported what he had seen. It was only his luck that he could run fast
enough so Taxian Jun couldn’t grab him and kill him right there. It was only his table that was
broken in his sudden wave of anger.

He walked over to Wanning and his long, strong fingers were wrapped around his neck, lifting him
up from the bed. Chu Wanning gasped for air and held onto his wrist, kicking and groaning in
pain.

“I thought I could entrust my whole life to you” he growled, his suffocating aura just growing even
stronger. Chu Wanning kicked again and looked into his eyes. He could see nothing but pure
hatred, disgust and… mostly anger. He had never seen him being this mad. “Huh, do you not even
want to answer?” he asked, his fingers tightening around his neck even more. Chu Wanning
couldn’t answer even if he wanted. He kicked more, trying to reach the ground or get some air.
“You bitch.”

Taxian Jun threw him across the room and Chu Wanning landed on the table, breaking it and
shattering the teacups on it. Some of the shards dug into his arm and back. He didn’t have time for
whimpering though, he coughed, trying to get some air back into his lungs. Taxian Jun walked over
and looked down at him with both pity and madness.

“What made you do this with him, huh?!” he asked and kicked him once Chu Wanning managed to
roll off the broken table. The kick hit him in the stomach, and he curled up abruptly “Was I not
good enough?! Was one cock not enough for you, filthy bitch?!”

The next kicks hit him in the face and in the leg. His nose started bleeding, and he tried getting all
four between the kicks and crawl away but the next one always hit him in the abdomen, and he fell
back onto the floor. He coughed up blood and curled up even more, trying to protect himself. And
his child. He didn’t even have a chance to tell him. All his kicks were so forceful, he couldn’t talk
but whimper and tear up. He was hurt in his whole body. Taxian Jun had never abused him like
this… and this much…

Taxian Jun grabbed him by his hair and lifted his face. Chu Wanning’s face was both bloody and
teary. His cheeks and nose swollen, giving him a miserable look.

“Tell me, did you ever sleep with him?!”

Chu Wanning couldn’t answer. Another wave of blood came up in his mouth and he had to cough
again. He couldn’t turn his head away, so it went straight onto the emperor’s face.

Taxian Jun tossed his head back to the ground and knelt down, hitting his arm and back with his
fist.

“You even had sex with him, I hope it was worth it, you slut” he growled, and it didn’t seem like
his anger got any better. “I hope you told him you killed his mother with your own hands!”

Chu Wanning coughed again and tried once again to escape, crawling just a few feet away.
Someone… someone would help…

No, it wasn’t true. Even if he reached the courtyard, the servants would do nothing. They were too
afraid of Taxian Jun, they might only save him when was on the verge of death. Mo Ran… Mo
Ran would surely help him…

He wanted to cry out for help, but strong hands pulled him back by his waist and his robes were
torn apart. Only a squeak left his mouth when he was held back. He stood on all four on the
wooden floor, naked, covered in blood and blue and green marks.

Taxian Jun thrusted into him abruptly. Chu Wanning threw his head back and screamed. He once
again tried to crawl away, but his hips were kept still and he couldn’t move just scratch the floor
with his nails until they were bleeding. As Taxian Jun started moving, he cried. He was loud, as if
he was trying to attract any help, but it was useless. His crying became sobbing, and his blood was
washed off by his tears. He put his hand on his belly, not being sure if the newly discovered life
was still in there. He was trying to protect it anyway.

The deep and forceful thrusts of Taxian Jun made his insides turn upside down. He threw up again,
onto the floor, but the emperor didn’t care.

“You left the palace with him… you had sex with him… you lied to me… all this time… do the
past years mean you nothing, bitch? When do you learn that you are MINE? ONLY MINE?!”

Chu Wanning felt disgusted and yet he could not be angry at Taxian Jun. It was his fault that he
ended up like this under him. Without the affair with Mo Ran he would have never beaten him up
like this… while he was pregnant… oh heavens he didn’t even know he was with a child… would
he stop if he knew it? Or would he go even madder?

His mind grew cloudy, but the pain was too much. It kept him awake, only his body fell down,
almost into his own puking. Taxian Jun huffed, being extremely annoyed by his low stamina.

“What? Was it better with him?” he growled out and turned him onto his back. Chu Wanning
covered his belly with both hands now, lips parted, and only soft, painful groans left his mouth. His
eyes were unfocused and teary. It was a very ugly sight.

Taxian Jun slapped him.

“Who let you pass out?”

Chu Wanning turned his head sideways. He wasn’t passed out. The pain was unbearable, yet he
couldn’t leave for the peaceful world of dreams. He could only endure until Taxian Jun came in
him.

The emperor was panting, and sex calmed him down enough not to hit Chu Wanning anymore. He
pulled out and just sat next to him on the messy floor. His chest was waving as he turned his gaze
away from his concubine.

“You’ll be moved to another room” he stated “No one can visit you. No servants. No soldiers. No
doctors. Only me. Got it? You will remain mine. You will always be my precious little flower. And
if I must protect you by putting you under glass, then let it be. You will learn your lesson in house
arrest.”

Chu Wanning gulped to suppress his urge to cry again. He curled up, his whole-body aching. He
hugged his own belly and closed his eyes. He was trembling and afraid but didn’t dare to move or
talk. He would be just laying there, praying for his innocent baby to survive this.
 Chapter 13

Chu Wanning was moved to his new home by Taxian Jun himself. It was a rather dark, but
spacious room, much closer to the emperor’s living quarters. It was a single room with only one
entrance and with no garden. At the end of the corner there were guards standing, not letting
anyone enter, or Chu Wanning ever leaving the room.

Only he was allowed to visit him. He personally brought him food and drinks. He patched up his
injuries by himself; after he let his anger out, he was very gentle and caring.

However, Chu Wanning rarely talked to him, despite he was the only one he could talk to. He was
just laying in his bed, curled up and turned towards the wall. He pulled the blanket up completely
and rather pretended to be asleep when Taxian Jun entered the room.

He was refusing to eat but he was throwing up a lot anyway. He wanted to cry every time he
thought of his baby.

There was no blood on the sheets any time he got up and the sickness didn’t stop. It seemed that
the baby survived, but Chu Wanning wasn’t sure if it was alright. Now that he has seen what
Taxian Jun was capable of, he wasn’t sure if he wanted this baby to arrive to such place.

He touched his belly and let a teardrop fall. He curled up even more and shut his eyes when he
heard the door being opened. It could only be Taxian Jun since there was no arguing with the
guards. He had heard Mo Ran sometimes, trying to enter, nagging the guards to let him visit him.
He only asked for five minutes, not more, but the men were too afraid of Taxian Jun to let the
prince in.

Even though Chu Wanning didn’t want him to come in, didn’t want him to visit anymore, he
couldn’t help but waddle to the door and put his hand on the paper door, as if he was trying to let
the prince know that he was fine. He just knew they would get into even bigger trouble if they met
up again.

Taxian Jun walked up to Chu Wanning, but another pair of footsteps were following him. It was
strange, but the concubine didn’t move.

“Wanning” Taxian Jun touched his shoulder “Wake up, please. The physician is here to check on
you.”

The physician? Why would he be here? Taxian Jun had already taken care of his injuries. Oh no…
did he tell the emperor about his pregnancy?

He slowly turned on his other side and managed to catch a glimpse of Taxian Jun’s face before the
emperor stood up and turned away with crossed arms. His face was paler than ever, his eyes full of
anger, hatred, and worry. Chu Wanning felt this time he wouldn’t beat him up like he did last time.
He instinctively covered his belly anyway.

The physician undressed him carefully and there was pity in his eyes as he saw all the bruises and
injuries that were left by the mighty emperor. He didn’t say anything though, he couldn’t say
anything. The whole examination took not more than 10 minutes. Then, the physician got up and
bowed.

“Everything seems to be alright, your highness. He will recover soon. I’ll make some ointment for
his bruises and medicine for his body to strengthen it.”
Taxian Jun didn’t turn around.

“You may leave then.”

The doctor quickly left, and Chu Wanning just kept sitting on the edge of his bed, wearing nothing
but a light white gown that was loosely tied on the front.

Neither the concubine nor the emperor talked. They avoided eye contact and didn’t know exactly
what to say. They were like that for a long while. Chu Wanning’s hand moved away from his
belly. If Taxian Jun didn’t know, he shouldn’t give him any hints either. He still wasn’t sure how
to-

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Taxian Jun asked, not turning back still. His voice was deep, hoarse.

“… tell you what?”

“…”

After all, the question could refer to many things. Not telling about leaving the palace? Having sex
with Mo Ran? Mo Ran being his lover for this short while?

“That you were expecting” Taxian Jun finally said it and Chu Wanning turned his head away.

Taxian Jun turned around and took a step towards him. His look darted down onto his flat belly. In
the past days he felt that something was not right. Chu Wanning’s scent has changed, and he asked
the physician why it was. Then he learnt about the baby Chu Wanning was finally carrying after all
those years. It was in that pretty, flat belly… that he had kicked so many times last time…

The anger in Taxian Jun’s eyes were darted at himself. After he learnt about the pregnancy, he first
panicked. He crashed another vase and his whole dinner. He had to come here quickly and make
sure his baby was alright.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked again. Chu Wanning trembled.

“I was afraid you would grow angrier.”

Taxian Jun’s face twitched, and he bit his lip. His expression darkened.

“Is it not mine then?”

Chu Wanning was refusing to look at him until now but right now he was breathless. How should
he answer such question?

“… I don’t know” he said quietly and hugged himself miserably. This uncertainty was so
frustrating. Now that he decided due to Taxian Jun’s anger that he would never again meet Mo
Ran, and things might just get back to normal, now here was this baby…

Taxian Jun noticed his ugly expression and even though his look was still dark, he came closer and
knelt in front of his concubine, putting his hands on his knees.

“Wanning… Wanning look at me” he told him quietly. “This venerable one can be the father of
whoever he wants. Don’t worry now. I know it’s mine. You must have conceived around the time
when you…” he couldn’t bring himself to say “confess” since now he knew Chu Wanning was
lying to him when he said he liked him. “When we did it in the garden. It was a special night.” he
said. “I felt extremely happy that time… I thought we could finally get somewhere…”
Chu Wanning couldn’t look at him. That night lived vividly in his mind. He remembered when he
said he liked him… and the next week he cheated on him with his own brother. Chu Wanning felt
deep regret.

“Please… don’t tell anyone that I’m with a baby…” Chu Wanning begged him. It would cause a
great disaster if Mo Ran knew it… or would it not? Would he accept that the child was Taxian
Jun’s? Would he not try to argue?

“But you are with my baby” Taxian Jun stated and leaned closer, getting between his legs, and
wrapping his arms around his waist. He buried his face in his belly and took in Chu Wanning’s
new, slightly changed scent. He still smelled like haitang flowers, but it became…. motherly.

“Please don’t hurt the prince either” he begged quietly and put his hand on Taxian Jun’s head. The
emperor growled low and for a moment Chu Wanning was afraid that he might tears out the fetus
with his fangs.

“Whether I hurt him or not is not your concern anymore. I can’t trust you as I did before, so you’ll
never meet him ever again. You are mine, thus the baby is mine. This venerable one’s son…”

He pushed Chu Wanning back on the bed and he crawled next to him, hugging him tightly by his
waist. He nuzzled Chu Wanning’s temple and he shuddered a bit. He closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry… if I had known a few days ago…”

The concubine was stunned. He had never heard Taxian Jun apologizing to anyone before. Hadn’t
he beaten him up if he knew he was pregnant? Chu Wanning didn’t know. He was not believing it.
He didn’t find his embrace as comforting as before. And whenever Taxian Jun touched his belly…
he wanted to pull away and hide in the corner of the room. His body didn’t trust Taxian Jun. It just
wanted to keep the baby safe.

But Chu Wanning’s mind naively believed Taxian Jun. He could see the emperor was mostly angry
at himself. He believed that he was regretful, and he would not do it again. And so, he forced
himself to hug the mighty emperor back.

Taxian Jun took a deep breath.

“After all these years… we are finally having a child, Wanning… I will take care of you… I
promise… I will make sure this baby is born to the best place. I will give my son the finest clothes
and blankets… and you… you will have the best doctors… you will deliver a healthy son to the
world… the great heir of mine…”

He kept mumbling about his plans. In front of his eyes, it was already settled. Chu Wanning and
the baby laying on the golden bed in embroidered yellow clothing, Chu Wanning wearing a
beautiful diamond crown and the little baby wrapped in the most comfortable golden blankets in
Chu Wanning’s arms. His beloved would smile happily at the peacefully sleeping baby. Then he
would look up at Taxian Jun and turn the baby to show him how beautiful their son was. He
couldn’t help but let out his scent and nuzzle the concubine’s temple more.

“Silly. What about Song Qiutong then?”

“I’ll figure out what to do with her” he said and gently rubbed his belly. Chu Wanning feared that
he might break the engagement with her, and the Song family might start arguing about it. They
were a strong family; an argument could easily lead to a civil war. What kind of world would this
child come to then? A concubine mother who gave birth to the emperor’s kid, who might also be
the bastard of the prince. A civil war between families…

“Just don’t let anyone know, please” he asked him again. “It’s still risky. It might not stay. It might
die before the time comes…”

“No baby would die, who can have this venerable father” Taxian Jun stated but still promised he
wouldn’t tell anyone.

A few hours later after he was done cuddling, his happiness was visible on his face. Whoever
dared to mention his good mood, got the reason why he was so cheerful. In an hour the whole
palace knew that Concubine Chu was expecting a child. Even the smallest kids were talking about
it while playing games, even the oldest grandmas in the kitchen gossiped about Chu Wanning’s
health and the baby’s possible condition.

A few remembered that the prince has also been visiting the concubine’s quarters and the guards
could admit that he’s been trying to enter his new room for days now. The talking soon turned into
rumoring about Taxian Jun not being the father of Chu Wanning’s child. After all, they’ve been
trying for one for so long and without result. But since Mo Ran has started visiting his chambers,
Chu Wanning got magically pregnant! It was worth talking about when the emperor wasn’t around.

Mo Ran accidentally heard the news about Chu Wanning’s pregnancy when he passed by the
kitchen to steal some snacks before lunch. He listened in the women’s talking and his heart felt
very light. He hasn’t even thought of him not being the father of the baby. Of course the baby had
to be his! Chu Wanning loved him, not Taxian Jun! You are carrying the child of the one you like
and not whose you dislike!

He stole some grapes and ran straight towards Chu Wanning’s new room. He was going to be a
father! The father of Chu Wanning’s child! Could he get even better news than this?

He wanted to run straight through between the guards, but they stood in his way and Mo Ran had
to stop.

“I heard that Chu Wanning is pregnant” he told them. “Can I see him? Just for a moment?” he put
his hands together as if he wanted to beg them.

The guards looked at each other and sighed. The prince was once again here, wanting to enter the
chamber… but how could they let him in? Even they couldn’t see Chu Wanning not even if they
wanted to check if everything was alright. Taxian Jun came several times a day, bringing food,
little gifts, and new clothes for his beloved concubine. They didn’t know when he would come
next, so they didn’t want to risk anything. For some reason, Chu Wanning became an even bigger
treasure of his, not letting anyone steal a glance of him. They thought they would be blinded if they
accidentally saw Chu Wanning, and if they let Mo Ran in… they would be surely the targets of the
emperor’s anger.

“You can’t prince, you know that” they said, holding their spears tighter. “He needs rest and only
Taxian Jun can see him.”

“Just one single glance?” Mo Ran asked again. He felt it was useless, but his happiness couldn’t be
washed away by such matter. He wouldn’t give up.

“Not allowed to enter” they repeated.

Mo Ran huffed. He stuffed a grapefruit into his mouth and turned around to leave. He walked
around the chamber when he was sure no one could see him. Behind the room there was an opened
corridor that mostly servants used. It was between the chamber and a small garden, without any
flowers in it. Just the green grass, a dying tree, and the wall of the palace. It was a sad sight.

But there was a window too that looked at the sad garden. Mo Ran found what he was looking for.
He grinned and tried to push it open. It was closed from the other side. He pouted and knocked.
There was a layer of white paper on the window, not allowing him to see the inside of the room.

Chu Wanning was currently sitting at his table, practicing calligraphy, and the other hand resting
on his belly. He tried to get his mind finally focus on anything but the two brothers or his unborn
child. He heard Mo Ran trying to get in and wondered how he knows about his pregnancy. Maybe
Taxian Jun threatened him with something…?

He got up when he heard the knock, and he was naturally about to open the window when he
realized what he was doing and pulled back his hand.

“Who is it?” his voice trembled, afraid of the answer. Taxian Jun surely wouldn’t play with him
like this.

“Guess” Mo Ran’s cheerful voice came through that layer of paper.

Chu Wanning’s heartbeat fastened, and he covered his mouth. What should he do now? His heart
longed for him, wanted to see him, and find warmth and comfort in his embrace, in his kiss.
However, his brain told him, if he opened this window, things might get out of control again.

“You shouldn’t be here” he said quietly.

“Of course I should! You are having my baby after all” he chuckled and knocked on the frame
again. “Come on, open the window, let me see you, baobei.”

Chu Wanning bit his lip, his hand trembled as he reached for the handle. He stopped and closed
his eyes. No. He couldn’t do this… Mo Ran would be in trouble… and maybe him too… he was
lucky last time with Taxian Jun, but he was sure the baby wouldn’t survive another abuse like
that…

“Baobeeeiiii~” Mo Ran kept nagging him and knocked again. “I’m sure the baby wants to see me
too~”

“It’s not even born, Mo Ran…” Chu Wanning sighed. “Please. We are going to get into trouble.”

“Huh? But we haven’t…”

Could it be that Mo Ran didn’t know about Taxian Jun knowing that they were lovers? How could
he be so naive? Taxian Jun didn’t move him into another room and forbid everyone to enter his
room, without a reason!

He suddenly opened the window and let Mo Ran look at his angry face. It was still bruised, and his
nose was swollen. Even if his hair was tidy and his face clean, it was enough to shock the prince.

Mo Ran’s jaw dropped, and he quietly climbed through the window and reached out to touch his
cheek. Chu Wanning trembled under his touch.

“He knows everything.”

Mo Ran was stunned for a moment. He let go of his cheek, his cheerful smile disappeared. He held
his hand and sat on the bed with him. He gently pulled on his robe, revealing Chu Wanning’s
shoulder and the blue marks on it. It was clear that Chu Wanning was beaten up badly. Mo Ran
grabbed his clothes and tore them off. He watched in horror that his whole abdomen had an
unnatural color and his back looked nothing better.

Chu Wanning gasped and tried to cover himself, getting dressed quickly. Mo Ran’s facial muscles
twitched in anger. He got up and started walking back and forth in the room in fury.

“It was him, wasn’t he?! Beating you up because you are carrying my child?!” he hissed, and he
felt like he could hit someone.

Chu Wanning watched him with a worried look. He got dressed and put his hand on his belly.

“How do you know about the baby?” he asked.

“Everyone talks about it in the palace!” Mo Ran huffed. “Shameless… that is my baby, not his…
yet he is preparing you to give birth to his imperial son…”

“…”

So Taxian Jun told it to everyone after all. But why were both of them so sure about being the
father of the baby…? Chu Wanning sometimes even wondered if he was a mother or not.

“I actually don’t know whose baby it is” he confessed and looked away. He was not afraid of Mo
Ran as much as he was of Taxian Jun. But still… Mo Ran was so enthusiastic.

Mo Ran stopped in his tracks and lifted his head to look at him.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” he asked, his voice unsure. He sat back next to Chu
Wanning and grabbed his hand.

Chu Wanning blushed. Does he really need to explain that he had sex with both during that period?

“I’m the concubine of the emperor.”

“But you slept with me. You love me.”

“I also slept with him.”

Mo Ran shook his head. He gently placed his hand onto his belly.

“But you haven’t gotten pregnant all these years with him. Only after you slept with me…” he
reasoned, using the servants’ logic.

Chu Wanning sighed and looked away with a slight blush. Even he didn’t know what the truth
was. Now both the brothers believed they were the father of the concubine’s child…

Mo Ran suddenly moved and laid his head in Chu Wanning’s lap. He smiled up at him and then he
turned his head to nuzzle his belly.

“I just feel it, it’s mine, Wanning. My bro always says he is gonna have a son… but I’m having a
daughter with you… my little flower… my little petal is right here inside you.”

Chu Wanning’s heart fastened up again. He didn’t know why it made his heart go soft. He gently
put his hand on Mo Ran’s head and stroked his hair. The prince closed his eyes and smiled. He
found peace again and relaxed under the hand of Chu Wanning. He quietly told him what on his
mind was. After he saw the signs of abuse on the concubine’s body, he knew he had to do
something. He took the grapes out of his pocket and offered them to Chu Wanning.

“Baobei… if you want to… I can elope with you. I don’t care about money or being the prince. I
just want to be with you, live far away from here. We could raise our daughter alone in peace…
and in love.”

Chu Wanning’s heart now skipped a beat. How could he say such thing…?

“You are the prince.”

“I don’t care. As a prince I can choose who to live with” Mo Ran stated and put grape in Chu
Wanning’s mouth. Chu Wanning ate it and sighed. He looked away.

It’s not that he didn’t want to elope with him. He loved the idea being away from this place, being
on the spacious wheat fields and having his baby in peace, without having to worry about the
brothers or Song Qiutong’s feelings. But… Taxian Jun would be sad if he left… no… not sad…
most likely he would be mad, crazy, and angry, looking for him day and night. And if he found
him, who knows what he would do to him or Mo Ran.

Also… the baby… Chu Wanning knew how weak his body was. The baby only had a slight
chance to survive here, in the palace, where he could get every help that he needed. Taxian Jun
would provide him everything in order to have a child with Chu Wanning finally.

Both brothers looked so happy about this baby… and both wanted to have it so badly. Just what
was Chu Wanning going to do about them? Making peace between them didn’t seem an option…
and his feelings about them were almost the same… could it be that he loved both and couldn’t
choose one?

If that was the case, Chu Wanning just got even more scared and desperate. His chest wavered and
silent tears rolled off his cheeks. Mo Ran didn’t notice it. He kept his eyes closed and buried his
face in his belly, bonding with his unborn daughter.

Chu Wanning played with Mo Ran’s hair and with his other hand, he slowly wiped his tears.
Between the love of the two brothers, he felt all alone.
 Chapter 14

After the gossips about the little heir spread through the palace, the two brothers avoided each
other as much as they could. They didn’t talk, didn’t want to see each other, and if they
accidentally ran into each other on the hallways or in the gardens, Taxian Jun growled and rather
turned into another direction. The anger and antipathy were mutual. Mo Ran also wanted to growl
at him, show him his fangs, teach him who Chu Wanning really belonged to. They never talked,
the warmness from Mo Ran’s side completely started to disappear because of his grudges. He
couldn’t forgive his brother for beating up the pregnant concubine.

However, there were occasions when they just had to be in the same room and attend events
together. Two weeks after Chu Wanning’s pregnancy was revealed and Mo Ran had been visiting
his room through the window, a feast was held in the main hall in honor of the ancestors of the
noble clans, including the royal family.

Mo Ran simply thought of not going first. He rather wanted to spend the night with Chu Wanning,
cuddle his belly and talk to his daughter happily about little nothings. During their secret meetings,
he kept nagging Chu Wanning to prepare for the time when they would run away. He also laid his
head in the concubine’s lap and told both him and his baby about the time he spent in the western
states. He told about his adventures, the people he met, the mountains he climbed and the deer he
hunted down. Chu Wanning would just stroke his hair and say nothing, watching his shiny face.

Thus, Mo Ran didn’t plan to go first. But then he saw Taxian Jun visiting Chu Wanning’s chamber
and a very uneasy thought formed in his mind. If he doesn’t go to the feast, what will the nobles
think of him? Doesn’t even dare or care to show his face? He won’t lose against Taxian Jun like
this! His brother would surely think he didn’t come because he is too afraid of him… now Mo Ran
will show him that it’s not the case.

On the night of the feast many officials and noble clan leaders came to pay their respects to their
emperor. Everyone took a seat in the main hall, and in the front sat Taxian Jun, on his right Song
Qiutong, on his left his brother, Mo Ran.

The future empress was bright, her beauty was shining in the whole hall, she was proud, her back
straight and she was the pure gentleness and politeness that everyone needed in the grand chamber.

Mo Ran’s once cheerful and mischievous smile disappeared. He sat there like the real emperor of
the country, full of pride and strictness. His expression turned into a cold, forced smile, and
avoided Taxian Jun and his fiancée with his look. He was too proud to look at them. He wasn’t in
the mood to smile around his brother since he knew about the abuse of Chu Wanning.

In the middle, Taxian Jun was rather bored and annoyed. He elbowed on his table and put his chin
in his hand as he watched the guests coming one by one to greet him. He even yawned a bit, not
even caring to cover his mouth. He was purposely avoiding to look at Mo Ran as well. He was
annoyed only by his presence, knowing that the man, who took his Wanning, who forced his
beloved concubine under himself and filled him up with his seed was sitting next to him. He could
do nothing but pretend he didn’t have grudges towards him to avoid suspicion. These officials
probably didn’t know about his concubine, or the little baby growing in him. Chu Wanning was a
hot topic only among the palace servants, not among the highly respected officials.

However, the tension between the brothers was clearly there, and everyone in the hall could sense
it. Only a few could guess what it was about – those, who sometimes gossiped along with the
servants.
Song Qiutong was one of the few people. She frowned every time she saw her future husband
mutter something before taking a sip from his alcohol and stabbing sneaky glares towards Mo Ran.
She knew about the two brothers having an affair with the same man, and she quickly learned
about Chu Wanning’s pregnancy as well. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was raging when her
servant accidentally revealed the new information she had just heard. She was boiling with such
anger as Taxian Jun boiled when he learnt about Mo Ran and Chu Wanning being together.

It was clear even for Taxian Jun that she deeply despised the concubine. The emperor was not sure
why though, he never asked, never cared, he thought she was just jealous of Chu Wanning’s
beauty. Little he knew that Song Qiutong’s jealousy was much deeper than that. While the
concubine’s living quarters were next to hers, she heard every time her future husband went there,
he heard Chu Wanning’s pained moans and heavy breathing, the screams he let out when Taxian
Jun went too far. She secretly hoped he would just fuck him to death one day.

Song Qiutong couldn’t stand Chu Wanning’s sight for so long. She hated him for getting
everything she dreamed of: caring, affection, precious gifts, riches, and a handsome young man
who would go mad for her.

Chu Wanning didn’t even want any of these, yet he got everything. Song Qiutong hated him for
this. She hated him for many things and hoped that after he had slept with the prince, Taxian Jun
would let go of him. It didn’t happen, he became even more possessive and obsessed about him.
And since Chu Wanning was carrying a child, now Taxian Jun was obsessed with the child too…
even though no one knew whose it really was.

What a bitch that Chu Wanning was. He dares to sleep with the emperor every night, then
betraying him just like that? Slut. He should have no place in the palace. And yet, Song Qiutong
was sure that his baby would get all the gold and silver, diamond, and gem that Taxian Jun could
gather from all around the country. It would get all the fame, the riches, the crown. Not Song
Qiutong’s son. Only if Taxian Jun would be willing to give her one…

A brave young noble who had heard about the royal heir, came forward with a little, but fancy box
in his hands. He bowed deeply and offered the box to Song Qiutong.

“I heard about the happy events in the palace, your majesty” he said softly, not daring to look up “I
was so bold to have a gift for the little one” he said humbly.

Song Qiutong and his future husband watched the lowly lord and his present in confusion. Song
Qiutong was the first who realized that the lord mistook her for that damned concubine. She
blushed in anger and looked at her fiancé, unsure of what to do.

Taxian Jun’s shoulders were trembling. It took a while for her to realize that he was suppressing
his laugh. What was so funny about this?!

Before either of them could talk, Mo Ran stood up and bowed politely to the noble.

“There is a misunderstanding” he began, his eyes shining with unmistakable mischievousness and
hidden pride. “It’s not my brother’s Song Qiutong, who is expecting a baby. It is my lover. I plan
to marry him to protect him from the bad looks for having a child out of marriage.”

All sounds died down in the main hall. Even the servants stopped serving the food, they all looked
at the prince, then at the emperor, kind of afraid what would happen next. They wanted to flee as
soon as possible, knowing Taxian Jun’s temper, but at the same time they wanted to stay and see
the continuation to later tell it to their friends behind closed doors.
The nobles who were sitting by their tables, a bit confused, since most of them didn’t even know
about the baby arriving in the royal family. They were just sitting there, motionless and a bit
disgusted by the fact that the young prince got someone pregnant without marrying them first.
Who was this lover anyway? Was he someone from a good family? Was he just a prostitute from
the nearest brothel?

Taxian Jun’s funny mood disappeared. His face darkened and waved his hand, so the brave lord
put the box down then went back to his seat. The emperor was silent for a long while, not looking
at Mo Ran nor Song Qiutong. There was only one question in his mind: how dared Mo Ran?!

“Are you announcing your marriage right now?” he asked, finally lifting his crazy lavender eyes.
Mo Ran’s dark eyes were like someone’s who had just won a lot of money and was ready to
shamelessly rub it underneath Taxian Jun’s nose.

“Yes, brother” he was not scared, his posture humble, yet his eyes were too damn confident.

Taxian Jun started laughing again. His laugh was evil, loud, and hurtful to hear. There was
everything in that sound that was supposed to scare everyone away. Dominance, the strong alpha
self, the will to destroy everyone who dares to go close to his precious concubine.

Everyone was horrified by the sound; the omega servants even left the main hall. Yet Mo Ran
didn’t move. He was still standing there like that, his body slightly bowed, his eyes still on Taxian
Jun, a winner’s confident smile on his mouth.

“Why would he want to marry YOU?” he laughed and wiped the tears out of his eyes. “Why would
YOU want to marry the murderer of your mother?!”

Everyone fell silent in the room and the people who knew the late empress were as pale as sheet.
Mo Ran clenched his fists hearing this but didn’t move from his place. He understood nothing, he
was confused, but he was not going to give up on his beloved Chu Wanning. Taxian Jun was
saying nonsense. After all, he was also sleeping with him… why would he sleep with the murderer
of their mother…? The empress wasn’t even killed… she died by illness…

Taxian Jun wasn’t stunned by his own statement at all. He didn’t realize the weight of his words,
nor he thought into it. He was mad. He was still laughing, but his mind was clearly not the same as
before.

“Marry the one who murdered the empress… why do you think I imprisoned him?” he laughed
louder, Song Qiutong stared at him with wide eyes. For the first time in her life, she was trembling
in fear of his future husband.

Mo Ran started growling, his white fangs were slightly shown. He knew this was all bullshit. Yet
he couldn’t stand hearing the talk about his mother like that. It was clear that he imprisoned
Wanning because he wanted to keep him for all himself. Why was he sprouting nonsense right
now? Was he going crazy?

“But your highness… you took in Chu Wanning long before the empress died in illness… what are
you trying to say…?”

A brave official stood up as he said this. He was not worried about his life at all. Taxian Jun
stopped laughing and glared at him. He stood up from his seat. He was now cold as ice, the people
around him were lucky he didn’t carry a sword. He pointed at the bold official and his eyes were
shining with pure disgust and anger.
“Do you dare to discredit your emperor’s words? You better learn from this in the prison with the
poisonous snakes in it! Guards, take him away!” he shouted. “Cut out his tongue!”

A few soldiers ran over and dragged the pale, screaming man away. He was begging for mercy,
but Taxian Jun could not hear him anymore. He didn’t want to hear, so he didn’t pay attention at
all. He was holding up a chopstick and now he pointed at Mo Ran.

His mind was cloudy due to fury, his hand was trembling from anger. His eyes were shining with
beastly fire, his chin was raised, he threw his hair back behind his shoulder. He looked at his
brother with pity and wrath.

Mo Ran on the other hand was keeping his chin low, like a disciple who wishes to rebel. His eyes
were just as angry as his brother’s. However, he was vigilant, ready to jump away if Taxian Jun
tried anything, ready to run to Chu Wanning, pick him up and take him away from this wicked
place.

“And you” Taxian Jun continued “you should learn which omega belongs to others. You better not
try to take what is not yours” he was growling, almost using his alpha voice.

Song Qiutong was as pale as snow. She suddenly wanted to run away, far away from the two
brothers. Now she didn’t feel like marrying anyone. This was also Chu Wanning’s fault. Turning
his beloved Taxian Jun into this beast, who could do nothing but mate and be possessed by his
partner.

“Who tells what yours is and what is mine?” Mo Ran asked, also growling, showing his fangs.

“Maybe fate could tell” Taxian Jun said with deep, cold voice. He then charged forward, the
chopstick still in his hand as if he wanted to stab it into Mo Ran’s chest.

The prince easily dodged and fought back. He jumped on his brother and both of them fell to the
ground. Their scent quickly filled the room, making even more people leave. Most of the guests
jumped up from their seats and came closer, trying to find a way, to separate the two brothers. They
hardly understood the situation. Whose child was this royal heir after all? Who killed the beloved
empress if she was killed at all?

Song Qiutong jumped back from the two and covered her face with her fan as she watched them in
horror. Their clothes were already torn, Taxian Jun’s nose was bleeding, Mo Ran had a bruise on
his cheek, their hair was messy, and their eyes full of killing intent. Everyone could sense it and
they wasn’t sure if they should interpret.

Neither of the brothers asked for help – it would have been shameful if they asked for help in a one
against one fight for Chu Wanning and his baby. They dug their claws in the other’s flesh, hit
where they could hit the other and the loud growls were keeping everyone away, even those who
called out for them to stop.

Since the fight was so fierce, it didn’t take too long. Taxian Jun was older, more experienced and
he was the one who had been to the battlefield. Mo Ran got squeezed to the floor, with Taxian
Jun’s elbow on his throat. He could do nothing but growl and try biting him. There was no use.

“Guards!” Taxian Jun called for them. “Take him away! Lock him up! He cannot leave his cell
without my permission!” he ordered.

He got off Mo Ran and let the confused guards taking his worn out brother away.

“Just wait, brother!” Mo Ran growled. “Don’t think you can get away with this!”
Taxian Jun was not answering. His anger was starting to disappear. He was still growling, he still
wanted to kill his brother but he knew he couldn’t do it. Not like this. Not now. His conscience
wouldn’t let him – as the nightmares of the night when he killed his father kept coming back as
well. No. Someone else had to kill Mo Ran for him.

He turned his head away and looked at all the guests in the hall. He didn’t look good. On his pale
face, bright red blood was flowing down, his hair was disheveled, the clothes torn. He didn’t look
like an emperor now. Even his crown fell to the floor.

“Get out. All of you.”

His alpha voice was full of pure dominance. The people respected their emperor, but seeing him
this mad made them wonder who he really was. A few tried to stand forward and talk to him, but
Taxian Jun has already taken his seat again and a snarl was enough to make them change their
minds. Even the generals and the guards left along with the guests and Song Qiutong. None of
them talked about the events in the main hall, yet the same things were circling in their minds. Was
it true that the mysterious lover of Mo Ran killed the empress? And just what was Taxian Jun truly
capable of to achieve his goals?
 Chapter 15

Chu Wanning wasn’t alone that night. Taxian Jun visited him after his rage and stayed with him all
night. They made passionate and possessive love, and afterwards the emperor just hugged his
concubine and rubbed his belly all night, nuzzling his neck and sometimes licking it as if he was
about to mark him. Chu Wanning’s body always stiffened this time, and his hand was clenched
onto the fingers on his belly. So Taxian Jun restrained himself from biting him and making him his
own for once and forever.

He didn’t tell him what happened back in the main hall, he didn’t tell him about the fight, he didn’t
mention the marriage, he was silent and even Chu Wanning’s sweet, or pained moans couldn’t
please him this time. He realized too late what he seeked for was comfort, not pleasure.

Chu Wanning was dried out till exhaustion, and he couldn’t do anything but pant in his emperor’s
arms. He closed his eyes and laid against his chest tiredly. His head fell back and a hand was kept
on his flat belly. On that beautiful belly that was having the royal heir in it…

Taxian Jun couldn’t help but hold it as well all night, kissing Chu Wanning’s temple and head all
around, coaxing him to sleep, but the precious concubine didn’t want to sleep. He knew something
had happened; he knew when Taxian Jun was upset. Yet, he didn’t dare to ask, he didn’t think he
could take another round of the undying love of his lover if he went raging and wanted to calm
down by sex. He just rested there, trying to fix his breathing.

It was already dawn when Taxian Jun spoke again. He gently held Chu Wanning’s body to his
chest and with his other hand, he kept rubbing the circles on his belly.

“Wanning” he called him quietly, nuzzling his head.

Chu Wanning opened his eyes tiredly and looked up at him. His white body was covered in
bitemarks and hickeys. Mo Ran pulled away a bit so he could look into his eyes.

“I must know. Who do you love more?”

It was a clear question, but not so obvious to Chu Wanning. He blinked some and didn’t even
know how to react. How to answer questions if he wasn’t even sure about his own feelings…? He
always tried to be sincere since he knew he was far from a great actor.

He closed back his eyes and turned his head away, refusing to answer. Taxian Jun’s hand stopped
on his belly and just stared at him in disbelief. Just… what was this silence for?

“… I should’ve known.”

Turned out, it was not enough to lock Chu Wanning here, forbidding everyone to see him,
separating them from each other and forcing his concubine to love him, only him, the venerable
emperor, who truly deserved him.

He didn’t know what to do. He lifted his hand to hit Chu Wanning, but in the end his gaze fell on
his precious, snow-white belly. That baby must be already growing.

Chu Wanning opened his eyes and looked at him sadly. He even reached out to touch his cheek.
The emperor was so stunned by the sudden movement that he even forgot about his anger. He held
Chu Wanning’s hand on his cheek.
“You misunderstand it” Chu Wanning whispered. He gently stroked the cold, pale face and looked
sadly into Taxian Jun’s confused lavender eyes.

“What do I misunderstand about it…?” he whispered back, pulling the naked body closer again by
his waist.

Chu Wanning looked away. He wasn’t sure if he could truly tell him or not. It wasn’t something
that possessive alphas understood…

He sighed. He’s been living with his man for years now. They are probably in love. Taxian Jun has
considered him as his best friend for a long time. And… as Chu Wanning thought about it, he also
thought of him like that for a long time. No matter how many times Taxian Jun came to have sex,
he also cuddled him until late morning, and he also told him about the matters he had in the palace,
the events that are about to be kept, he shared his feelings and thoughts, and since he was so
opened, Chu Wanning enjoyed this weird, twisted friendship.

“I don’t understand anything either” Chu Wanning said quietly. “I’m just as confused as you are…
as we all are…”

“I still don’t get it… what do you mean, Wanning?” he gently squeezed his fingers on his cheek.
Chu Wanning pulled his hand out of his grasp.

The concubine didn’t know how to explain it without offending him, but still telling the truth. He
looked down and bit his lip.

“I… I love two men… at the same time… I don’t know whose baby this is… I’m just worried
about both of them…”

Taxian Jun didn’t hear anything after the “same time.” His mind was filled with rage again, pursed
his lips and just stared at Chu Wanning, his grip getting harder on his sides. Chu Wanning even
groaned in pain.

“If you can’t choose, then fate shall choose.”

The emperor loosened his grip and pulled him close, kissing his forehead and getting on top of him
again. Chu Wanning watched him with fear in his eyes. His breathing became unstable and he
instinctively put his hands on his belly as if he wanted to protect his baby.

“Why can’t we… why can’t we just live together…? I’m sure… I’m sure… Mo Ran doesn’t want
to take the throne… he just needs me, and he doesn’t want it…”

Taxian Jun was about to put it in again, having another round with him before he needed to go, but
hearing the last part drove him mad again. This time he didn’t think of the righteousness of his
acts. He slapped Chu Wanning, hard enough to leave a red mark on his face.

“How can you even think of such things?! Then say them out loud?!”

He was not in the mood anymore, but the fact that he was above him, made him satisfied enough. It
gave him the feeling of Chu Wanning being conquered only by him. Only if he could mark him…

He leaned down and opened his mouth and his fangs were shining in the dim light. He was only a
few centimeters away from the pale, breakable skin when he noticed that Chu Wanning was
trembling a lot more under him than he usually did.

He lifted his head and looked at the concubine’s face. Chu Wanning was biting onto his finger and
tears rolled off his face. He tried to be as silent as possible, but his trembling told more than any
sounds.

“W-What are you two gonna do?” he asked, his voice silent and high pitched.

Taxian Jun’s look has already told everything. But his words were even more cruel than his eyes.

“Kill those who are not worthy of having you.”

Wanning couldn’t take it. His heart was hurt by the words. He just knew Mo Ran would neither
agree to peace. He just knew it: the brothers would kill each other for Wanning. How could he stop
this…?

“Please… I beg you…”

Taxian Jun stared down at him with disgust.

“Look at yourself. Begging for the life of a no one, while you are pregnant with my child, and
laying powerless under me. Do you not feel shame, Wanning? The emperor’s concubine really
shouldn’t behave like this. Look at yourself… what happened to your pride? Did you shatter it for
that… for that lowly prince?”

Chu Wanning turned his head away and closed his eyes. He didn’t want to think about it. He didn’t
want anything, but peace.

Taxian Jun cuddled his naked body for some more time, enjoying the warmth and the happiness
that grew in his chest any time he went to hold that precious belly of Chu Wanning.

When the sun came above the horizon, the emperor left. Chu Wanning stayed in bed, not caring to
dress up or to cover his bare body. It was not that cold, and he didn’t feel like moving at all. He
stared at the ceiling and felt like crying. How was he supposed to end this? Taxian Jun had deep
hatred towards the prince… and strong killing intent… what would happen if there were only the
two of them in the room once…? He can’t let the worst happen… but how should he stop this war
between them?

A few tears rolled off his cheek and his hands went onto his belly. Maybe there would be a bump
soon. Maybe the child wouldn’t survive at all until that. Both Taxian Jun and Mo Ran loved this
fetus with their whole hearts… if something happened to it, would they blame each other? Would it
fuel their hatred even more? Oh heavens… he must protect this child at all costs…

He didn’t know how long he had been laying in the bed as Taxian Jun left him. The sun was high
up in the sky when he heard the door opened and someone enter. He turned his head away so the
emperor wouldn’t see his teary face.

But the steps stopped near the entrance and the emperor didn’t come closer. The sound of robes
could only be heard, and a light, feminine cough.

It was not Taxian Jun.

Chu Wanning abruptly sat up and covered himself with the blanket as he stared at his guest with
wide eyes. Who could come in beside Taxian Jun? He thought no one. Yet, Song Qiutong stood
there in her black-golden robes, seemingly a bit offended by finding the emperor’s concubine
naked, covered in hickeys and bitemarks.

Chu Wanning blushed madly and felt ashamed. He tried to wipe the tearstains off his face while
somehow covering his whole body with the blanket and his messy, long black hair.

Song Qiutong almost rolled her eyes, but she seemed to hold her emotions back. She has never
visited Chu Wanning directly before. The concubine couldn’t help but wonder what was the
problem that included both of them.

“How can I help you?” Chu Wanning asked, his voice trembling from shame.

Song Qiutong had a teapot in her hands, and she put it on the table. She must have thought Chu
Wanning had cups, so she only brought the pot, and a nice scent came from it. Chu Wanning
started salivating. He was so thirsty, and tea smelled so good… and sweet…

The emperor’s fiancée looked around for cups and when she found them, she took them over and
took a seat next to the table. She wasn’t hurrying anything.

“There was a fight yesterday during the event in the main hall” she said finally, and Chu Wanning
lifted his gaze from the teapot to look at her face. He couldn’t decide how the woman felt about it.

“What happened?”

“Prince Mo announced he wanted to marry… someone. Someone who was already having his
child. No one was dumb enough not to know who he was talking about” she said, her cold eyes
trying to stare deep into Chu Wanning’s soul.

The concubine was stunned. Yes, they have talked about escaping, but they didn’t talk about
marriage…! And saying it out loud during such event…! In front of Taxian Jun…!

He first blushed, then paled and lowered his head, avoiding Song Qiutong’s gaze.

“Was the fight between Mo Ran and him?” he asked quietly.

“Yes” Song Qiutong’s voice was getting colder and colder. “It was as if they wanted to kill each
other. Prince Mo is in prison now. He is going to be executed soon.”

“What?!”

Chu Wanning’s voice almost sounded like a scream. He got up in an instant, but his legs trembled
as he put weight on them, they weren’t strong enough after such night. He had to sit back down and
wrap the blanket more around himself.

He felt dizzy and lightheaded. Taxian Jun can’t be serious about this… he knew he would kill
him… or use someone else to kill him… but acting this fast… without thinking… did he lose his
mind?

“W-When…?”

“I’m not sure about that. Maybe tomorrow morning.”

“I must see him!” Chu Wanning stated, “And I must see the emperor too!”

Song Qiutong huffed.

“They are already killing each other for you, what else do you want?!”

Chu Wanning looked down and squeezed the blanket into his hand more. He didn’t actually know.
But he had to try something. He had to think of something…
Song Qiutong let the tea in the cups cool down a bit.

“You love the prince, don’t you? And the baby is his, right?”

She was asking these questions as if he was stating facts. Chu Wanning was confused but felt like
the woman didn’t come here only to tell him about the execution.

“I do… about the baby…” he mumbled, but Song Qiutong slammed her hand elegantly on the
table.

“It is his, right?!”

Chu Wanning flinched and his hand instinctively wandered onto his belly under the blanket.

“If it’s a girl, then yes.”

“It is a girl, then.”

“..”

Chu Wanning blinked in confusion. He could see the woman’s jealousy and discomfort that was
caused only being in the concubine’s room. But what was she trying to do? They hardly ever talked
when there were only the two of them. Song Qiutong always avoided him as if he was some
strange abomination she shouldn’t contact.

“Tonight, I’ll help you escape from here” Song Qiutong said. “And I’ll also help to get the prince
out of jail. You can meet up at the village near the city, how does that sound?” she asked.

“…and what about Taxian Jun?”

Song Qiutong pursed her lips. Why did he care about the emperor?! He had just admitted he loved
the prince! She was getting more and more annoyed by this conversation.

“You have to choose sooner or later. Stay or go. With or without the emperor’s permission. With,
or without your loved one. Prince Mo will be executed tomorrow morning” she reminded him.

“If I stayed, would you still let Mo Ran out?”

“No. He is stupid. He would come back to the palace for you immediately. He would be caught
and imprisoned again, waiting for his execution.”

She was right. Mo Ran wouldn’t give up that easily.

Chu Wanning bit his lip and thought about it. Well, Song Qiutong was somewhat right. He
couldn’t keep these two relationships at the same time… the brothers would destroy each other
sooner or later… or tomorrow morning, if everything went by Taxian Jun’s plans.

If he stayed, he would surely be favored by the emperor even more. He would hire the best doctors
for him, he would give everything to Chu Wanning’s child, he would be caring… maybe even
more determined to get more children with his concubine. Song Qiutong would be pushed aside
completely.

If he l left, Mo Ran could live. The baby had lesser chance to survive, but it was never 100%
anyway. Taxian Jun could be looking for them, but if they hid well enough, he would need to give
up after a while, marry Song Qiutong and be the emperor he was supposed to be. Clean and great
without the crime of lust and obsessions.
His heart ached. Leaving was the more reasonable choice. So… should he really leave the man
who has been his lover for years now without a goodbye…?

“I get both of you out safely. Deal?”

Song Qiutong stood up and carried one of the cups over. She also held another cup, with less tea in
it. She handed the bigger one to Chu Wanning, who shakily reached out and took it.

“D-Deal.”

Song Qiutong lifted the cup to her lips and watched as Chu Wanning downed the tea in one gulp,
then coughed because the hot liquid burnt him. She quickly turned around and spilled her own cup
of tea onto a cloth she was hiding inside her sleeve. She put the empty cup back to the table and hid
the cloth back into her sleeve.

“Then be ready at midnight. Don’t bring too many clothes or items. You will need to go by foot.”

Chu Wanning nodded. He kept the blanket up at his chest and watched her leave.

He didn’t know how she managed to come in or how she planned to get both of Taxian Jun’s most
guarded people out at one night. He just hoped everything would be alright. He needed to save Mo
Ran… he was ready to do anything to stop this war. If Song Qiutong had a plan, then he should
just wait and see… after all, escaping with Mo Ran… sounded more than nice.
 Chapter 16

One night was enough for Mo Ran to already feel pained deep inside the dungeon of the palace. He
was in the cold basement, the walls were made of gray stones and only the front wall was made of
iron bars, letting anyone who passed by see the imprisoned prince.

There were some piles of straw on the ground, a bucket, and some water. Mo Ran was not treated
better than any of the prisoners. Most of the guards even avoided him. They feared that he might
order them to let him out, and then they would be between two fires: they knew they should obey
the emperor, but the prince was still a prince.

Mo Ran laid down on a pile and just stared up at the moon through his small window and
wondered what Chu Wanning might be doing. He thought he must be sleeping peacefully in his
bed, his hand on his belly, protecting their little baby girl. Little he knew that his beloved was
moaning under his brother for the whole night.

He was furious of his brother and only the thought of Chu Wanning could calm down his soul. He
sighed and laid motionless in his cell for the whole night.

He has never felt this humiliated. He was the prince of this nation, yet he was rotting in his own
dungeon, instead of staying with his omega and keep his baby safe from that monster Taxian Jun.

He swore, once he gets out, he takes revenge on his own brother, take Chu Wanning away
somewhere safe, and have many-many other babies with him.

The sound of hard steps echoed on the corridor. Someone was coming and it could be heard that
his legs were not strong enough to walk normally. Mo Ran lifted his head and frowned. No one has
come like this. Even the servants who brought water and food to other prisoners seemed to avoid
him.

A snow-white bun and a long beard came out of the darkness and Liu-gong stopped in front of the
cell, his eyes full of sadness. He held a bowl of porridge in his hands, and he slowly crouched
down to put it down inside the cell.

Mo Ran got up and pulled closer to the old man, who seemed to stay. He found a small chair and
he took a seat next to the bars, leaning against the wall.

“Liu-gong” the prince called him softly, his voice sounded raspy after so much silence, “tell me…
how is Chu Wanning?”

Liu-gong seemed to hesitate.

“I passed by his chamber” he said after a while “His highness was with him.”

Mo Ran’s hand immediately formed a fist. That brother of his! What kind of beast he was?! Chu
Wanning was pregnant! Almost already a month pregnant! How dares he touch his pregnant
omega?

“Prince” Liu-gong continued “It’s painful to say this, but you’ll quickly meet your end if you keep
loving his highness’ concubine.”

Mo Ran raised his chin and his eyes were full of anger and hatred. How could Liu-gong advise him
something like that?
“Liu-gong, how can you say such thing? We love each other and my brother treats him worse than
trash.”

That was not true. Liu-gong pursed his lips and lowered his gaze. He didn’t know how he should
try to persuade him. His life was at stake right now. There was no way out of the prison without
help – and the servants would never try to help Mo Ran escape. They were too afraid of Taxian
Jun’s punishment.

“Do you not care about the things his highness told at the feast?”

Mo Ran thought about it and crossed his arms. The porridge was slowly growing cold on the floor.
He wasn’t hungry anyway.

“The thing about mother and Chu Wanning?” he asked. “That is bullshit. Chu Wanning wouldn’t
hurt anyone. He is not like that. He never was.”

Liu-gong was silent once again. He wasn’t trying to convince him otherwise. After all, even he
wasn’t aware of all the details of the events. He did see things though, he could guess what could
have happened. And if he had to think it through… he would have thought that Chu Wanning
indeed killed the empress.

“When your brother brought here Chu Wanning first, he didn’t know he would be locked up in the
palace. He didn’t talk to anyone, didn’t care to build relationships. He was in his room mostly and
studied, sometimes went on walks. But after a few days, he realized that Taxian Jun wouldn’t let
him out soon. Then, he desperately tried to find a way out, never rested.”

Mo Ran lifted his head. He has never heard about Chu Wanning’s early days in the palace. Now it
was getting interesting. He moved closer to the bars and leaned his shoulder against them.

“Please continue.”

That time, two lonely souls were roaming around in the palace. One was Chu Wanning, who was
left there by his master after Taxian Jun talked to him about leaving the beautiful omega servant at
his place. Not so long after the master left, Taxian Jun visited him at one night and had sex with
him for the first time. It was a long night, Chu Wanning screamed for help, tried to run away, push
the emperor away, but everything was useless. He was raped after all the struggles, and when he
realized no one would come to help him, he tried to muffle all the sounds that Taxian Jun wanted to
hear. He hasn’t left his room for days, and when he left finally, he feared to go among people. He
felt ashamed and dirty, and he felt like everyone could see that he no longer was a virgin. He was
afraid to look into anyone’s eyes.

The other soul was no one else but Mo Ran’s mother, the empress. She was so lonely since her
little son was sent away to faraway lands and her foster son cared little about her. She spent her
days sitting alone in the garden, among her servants, but she was quiet, hardly ever talked about
her feelings. Her face was like white porcelain – she always had a soft smile on her lips, her eyes
were gentle and submissive, yet her look was dazed, somewhat sad.

The two people met, when Chu Wanning was passing by the flowery garden and the white
pavilion where the empress used to stay. The woman saw him several times before but never had
the chance to talk to him. So, she sent her servants away and invited Chu Wanning over to her
pavilion. She personally served him tea and had that kind, unchanged expression as always as she
started talking.
“Chu Wanning, I’ve never had the chance to ask, how do you like staying in the palace?”

That time, no one was yet suspecting anything about Chu Wanning becoming the emperor’s
concubine, but Chu Wanning didn’t know anything about this. He felt like everyone knew. He
pursed his lips and looked away. He didn’t like the palace even a bit.

The empress, seeing his unwillingness to answer, put down her cup and reached out to hold his
hand.

“You may have already noticed that my son has taken liking on you” she said softly, her eyes being
still sad, almost apologetic, but kind at the same time “You might don’t know what to think… he
has a fiancée already… and he has a very bad temper…”

Chu Wanning slowly lifted his eyes. She was right… he didn’t know what to feel, what to think…
he would beg for anyone to tell him what to feel.

“He might seem like a heartless person sometimes… but my son is a very caring person in reality”
she talked about Taxian Jun as if he was her own, biological son. Chu Wanning had thought for a
long time that it was actually the case “My smaller son often ran after him and wanted him to play
together… however, he always turned away and went to practice martial art skills. But when no
one was around, and A-Ran kept going after him, he played with him. He was gentle and caring, as
one should treat a baby.”

Chu Wanning didn’t know what to think about this new information. He was even more confused
as before. The empress squeezed his hand.

“You are a very pretty man, Chu Wanning. I bet he would want to stay with you for a long time.
Would you please look after my son? I’ve never seen him being in love until now” she said, her
smile growing a bit wider.

Chu Wanning looked up into her eyes in disbelief. He gulped and his scalp went numb. He slowly
pulled his hand away from her.

“I don’t want to take Song Qiutong’s place” he said with colorless voice. He looked away.

The empress gasped and quickly shook her head.

“You don’t have to, you don’t have to!” she said “I’m asking you to… try to understand my son”
she said softly “Whatever he says, whatever he does, keep in mind that everyone has good in them.
My son is also a good boy. He is so young, so impulsive… he needs time to learn. We all listen to
the ones we adore. Please teach him as best as you can.”

Chu Wanning didn’t know, what she meant. However, he sat with her for a long time, dozing off
and drinking tea, sometimes chatting about the sons of the empress or Chu Wanning’s hometown.

They started meeting more and more often. Chu Wanning felt like someone had felt the same
loneliness, the same separation as him. They were alone together, growing closer and closer
slowly. They eventually became good friends.

As he was advised, Chu Wanning tried to understand Taxian Jun more. The emperor had sex with
him once or twice a week. Even though Chu Wanning tried to resist, to talk to him about this not
being right, but Taxian Jun conquered him every time, and became rougher every time he resisted.
But he soon realized that Taxian Jun needed the same warmth as everyone else. He loved to
cuddle, loved to kiss, loved to put his head in Chu Wanning’s lap and just tell him about little
nothings. He loved when his lover’s trembling hand played with his hair, he loved when Chu
Wanning was looking into his eyes while they talked in the dim light of the room.

Chu Wanning started to know him more, and he found that out, when Taxian Jun was not insane
due to passion, rut, or alcohol, he was a pleasant partner to chat with. The emperor soon became
similar to an opened book, Chu Wanning could read his thoughts whenever he wanted.

Soon, he learned about Taxian Jun’s darker thoughts as well. First, he only told about the
nightmares he had, that someone was coming back to haunt him. Chu Wanning figured that the
emperor has used a pillow once to suffocate someone.

Then, he told about his childhood – that his real mother was not the current empress, but a little
servant, who died while giving birth to him. Emperor Mo was not a coldhearted man and took him
in, but to Taxian Jun it was clear that he shouldn’t trust anyone in this family of his. Sometimes he
even mumbled something half asleep about killing parents was for the better.

Chu Wanning didn’t know that morning when he went to see the empress again, the lemon juice he
carried along with a hot teapot and cups, contained the poison that killed the empress within a few
weeks. Chu Wanning didn’t know. He was just extremely sad and refused to leave her in her sick
days. Even when Taxian Jun came, he resisted, until he was dragged away by the emperor, and he
was fucked against the wall in an empty chamber. Taxian Jun cursed.

“You were the one who caused this, now why are you so sad about it?!” he hissed. “You gave
poison to her, I know.”

That night, in the sweetness of the night, Chu Wanning learned that poison was put in the lemon
juice, since Taxian Jun knew Chu Wanning wouldn’t drink from that, it would be way too sour for
him.

On the very same night, Mo Ran’s mother died without being able to see her son one more time.

Chu Wanning was broken. He lost his friend, he felt once again humiliated and used. For months,
he roamed in the palace alone, until he decided to continue what the empress told him. Stay by
Taxian Jun’s side, trying to know him more, trying to teach him for the better. That time he hasn’t
expected he would eventually fall in love with him.

Mo Ran was sitting in silence for a long while. His grip on his own clothes became tighter and
firmer as he listened to Liu-gong’s tale. There was warmth in his heart, knowing that his mother
knew his lover, that they were friends. But also, the coldness also increased in his chest, anger
filled his cells, he wanted to break out, rage, and take Chu Wanning away more than ever.

“Childe” Liu-gong called him again “You really should stop loving the concubine… Taxian Jun
will destroy anyone, who dares to long for him, even worse, to touch him…”

Mo Ran looked up at him and growled.

“Stop saying nonsense, Liu-gong! I can’t stop loving him! He is not the one who killed my mother!
He was used, as he is used now! I must stop this, I must rescue him and run away with him!”

Liu-gong sighed. He should have expected that simple words will not change his mind. He looked
down.

“Where would you go, prince, if you could escape with Chu Wanning in secret?”

“Back to the western states. I have friends there, they can hide us from my brother.”
“He would start wars just to get Chu Wanning back.”

Mo Ran thought about it, his eyes went colder and colder the more he thought.

“Then, I shouldn’t drag in other nations into this matter. I must destroy those who tries to step in
my way. Even if that’s my brother. I take revenge and take Baobei away.”

As he decided this, he reached for the bowl of porridge and started eating it hungrily. Liu-gong let
out a soft sigh as he watched him. His mother wouldn’t want her children to kill each other for a
dear friend of hers… she knew there was good in both boys… little she expected that the darkness
could grow this big in both their hearts as well.
 Chapter 17
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Chu Wanning’s heart was restless for the rest of the day. He waited for the night impatiently and
thought of what and how he would do. Song Qiutong hasn’t shown up again, so he couldn’t ask
her. Only Taxian Jun came, bringing him some dinner.

As the emperor watched him eating, a soft smile played on his lips. Chu Wanning could easily
guess what he thought of. Taxian Jun was happy that Chu Wanning had a nice appetite, feeding
their little unborn baby, making it stronger and bigger with every bite he took. He even asked Chu
Wanning if he wanted some more.

Chu Wanning answered with a no, and he just sat there at the table, until Taxian Jun decided to
give him a massage. He was gently rubbing his shoulders and back, while leaning close to Chu
Wanning’s neck. He knew he went a little too rough on him in the morning. He wanted to make it
up to him.

The concubine’s soul ached, knowing that he must leave soon. He couldn’t tell anything to Taxian
Jun, couldn’t even say goodbye. He knew he shouldn’t draw suspicion on himself. He couldn’t
help but tremble every time Taxian Jun’s hot breath hit his neck and his fingers were rubbing on
his stiffened back tenderly. He almost felt like… he didn’t want to leave. He had to remind himself
that Mo Ran’s life was at stake. His fate would be to be with him and Taxian Jun’s to be with Song
Qiutong’s.

After the massage Taxian Jun started loosening Chu Wanning’s clothes and leaned closer to his
neck. He kissed him all over, his cold hand moving under the concubine’s shirt, touching the belly
that carried his most loved little son. He pulled Chu Wanning into his lap from his seat, and he sat
on the floor with him. Did he want to stay for the night? Hopefully not.

He turned his head, somewhat nuzzling Taxian Jun’s cheek.

Could I kiss you… one last time?

Taxian Jun kissed his forehead and he started letting out his scent for him. Chu Wanning felt dizzy
and warm at the same time.

“Ah, I’d love to hear you purr once” Taxian Jun whispered to him. “Maybe when something great
thing happens. Maybe when your belly gets bigger, and you feel our prince move around. Or when
you give birth, and hold him for the first time in warmth, in a room filled with our mixed scents.
How does that sound?”

“Mhm…”

I’m sorry that you wouldn’t be able to see my child.

Taxian Jun chuckled, and he nuzzled his neck.

“I’m the emperor of this country, I rule everything and everyone here. Yet, it’s so funny… I
couldn’t bring myself marking you without your consent…”

It was indeed strange he hasn’t done that yet beside all the other things he had done to him. Chu
Wanning didn’t understand. Taxian Jun probably couldn’t explain either.

“Maybe because I… I love you so much, Wanning…”

If I have a place in your heart, why can’t others have one as well?

Chu Wanning’s heart was about to break. He wanted to get up, pull back his robes and walk away
from him, but at the same time he wanted to stay, wanted the warmth of Taxian Jun’s body, he
wanted his scent.

Someone suddenly started knocking on the door. Chu Wanning turned his head towards it
immediately, his hand trembled on his knee. Taxian Jun looked up.

“What do you want?”

He didn’t like it at all when he was disturbed while being with his omega. His scent immediately
changed to something unpleasant.

“Your highness, I’m terribly sorry to bother you… an urgent matter came up… please come with
me…” a young servant’s trembling voice could be heard.

Taxian Jun pursed his lips, he gently held Chu Wanning by his waist and put him back on his seat.
He got ready to stand up.

“It’s better something serious…” he growled.

Chu Wanning watched him, his expression was a mixture of sadness, despair and worry.

So, I cannot kiss you farewell after all.

Taxian Jun looked down at Wanning and his lover’s expression surprised him. He chuckled and
leaned down, poking his cheek and pressing a kiss on his soft lips. Chu Wanning got unusually red
by this one playful peck.

“I’ll be back soon, Wanning, don’t make the long face” he chuckled and then he left in a hurry.
The door was shut after him tightly.

Chu Wanning sat there in the dim candlelight, just staring at the door that hid the emperor from
him, probably forever. He bit his lip and his hand moved onto his belly. He rubbed gentle circles
on it, as he learnt it from Taxian Jun, and he looked down.

If you are a boy, I hope you won’t be angry with me for tearing you and your father apart.

If you are a girl, I hope you will be happy with the decision I make. Into the unknown… just with
me and your dad.

He got up slowly and started packing his things. He tried to collect all the objects, all the clothes he
had brought into the palace seven years ago, but he couldn’t find any. Taxian Jun has thrown them
all out and replaced them with finer, fancier items.

Chu Wanning didn’t want to bring any of his gifts with him. He took off his crown piece as well
and tied his hair up with a simple white ribbon. He didn’t want to take anything… he would feel
like stealing Taxian Jun’s things, even if he gifted them. Now he was about to betray him and leave
him forever…

He had long lost his money he had with him seven years ago. He only dared to dress in plain white
clothes and put on a light black coat that was embroidered with golden haitang flowers. He didn’t
find fewer fancy clothes.

He was thinking about taking only one hairpin that he can give to his child one day or can sell it if
they are short on money. He held the nicely formed jade in his hand and watched it sadly. It was
one of Taxian Jun’s first gifts.

After they first met in the city in one of the noble officials’ houses, Taxian Jun revisited him from
time to time. He had already given him a nice pendant and a beautiful long dress, and Chu
Wanning took them, since he had to take what the emperor humbly offered him.

That one time, when he gave him this hairpin… he invited him in the palace for the first time to
have dinner with him. Chu Wanning refused and gave the hairpin back. After that, Taxian Jun tried
again and again, offering this hairpin, and inviting him over. One day, he even added that there was
an old servant that needed treatment and the physician was out of town.

With this excuse, he lured Chu Wanning inside the palace. After he made medicine for the servant,
he took him to a small chamber and had dinner with him, also, offered him the hairpin again. Chu
Wanning took it this time, as a reward for his nicely done work. He didn’t know it was also the
sign of letting the emperor putting chains on his limbs and imprisoning him within the palace for
seven years.

He finally sighed and hid the hairpin inside his sleeve. He earned this one hairpin.

The sun has already set, and the gardens were silent and dark. No sounds came into his small
room, not even the guards were chattering in front of his room.

Mo Ran might be already out of his cell…

He slowly walked closer to the door and pressed his ear on it. He didn’t even hear the breathing of
the guards. He frowned. Were they not here…? Did Song Qiutong already start going with their
plan?

He carefully opened the door and widened his eyes. It opened without any difficulties, it was not
locked, and outside the soldiers couldn’t be seen either. He stepped over the threshold, then took
some more unsteady steps outside of his cage. He looked up at the moon, then around in the
garden. There was no one.

He felt his heart beating fast as he hurriedly made his way towards the main gate. He had no idea
where he should leave the palace, so he went to the only he direction he knew the way out to the
village.

He found it weird that even the guards at the main gate didn’t stop him. In any case, he put on his
hood so no one could see him, but still. Were they Song Qiutong’s men? Were they paid by her?

He didn’t know, and to tell the truth, it was better that he didn’t know. He walked through the dark
gate of the palace and his heart felt heavier and heavier with every step he took. He was alone now,
doing the unforgivable. Mo Ran was not with him. No matter since when he had been dreaming
about this moment, now he was afraid.

He left the palace without any difficulties, and he started running down on the streets, with his
robes flying around him. He couldn’t stay. He wanted to get away from here, as much as he wanted
to stay, and this feeling was tearing him apart from the inside. He had to get away as fast as
possible and forget everything about this palace, everything about Taxian Jun, for the bigger good.
For his new life, he didn’t need such memories, even if he cherished some. He should never
return…

He ran down on the streets, passing by happily chattering people, kids, who were still playing
outside with their balls and paper butterflies, and people, who had just put out their lamp above
their door.

He was panting already after running only two streets long. He was not in a good physical
condition, his lungs already hurt so he stopped and tried to catch his breath as he looked back at the
palace. The dark walls were still close, as if they were watching him, coming closer inch by inch
with every second, trying to pull him back inside. He took some wobbly steps on the road again,
then he finally turned his gaze away. He walked quickly, rubbing his chest as he headed to the
outer city gates.

As he went on, the houses became darker, the streets less crowded. He even thought of this place
being dangerous for an unmarked omega alone in the night, and he suddenly wished he already had
Mo Ran with him.

He soon reached the city gates and he once again put on his hood just in case. He bit his lip as he
walked on the cold stones under the large gate. Last time when he left with Mo Ran, he felt like the
gates were falling on him, not letting him out of this cage. Right now, he even stopped under the
gate and looked back once again at the palace.

It was on the top of the hill so he could see it pretty well from all places from the city. Now, the
palace seemed to stay at its place. As if it didn’t dare to come until the gates, as if it finally let Chu
Wanning go.

The concubine turned around and with a few more steps, he was out of the capital. His legs became
light as he headed towards the village on the small dirt road between the wheat fields. He smiled
smelling the air and being on the spacious land again. He has come here sometimes in his dreams,
and now, he was back for real.

He felt dizzy from all the emotions he suddenly felt. He was happy, yet still nervous and scared.
He wanted nothing more than being with Mo Ran already… he would surely know what to do
next. He would reassure him, and everything would be okay… Taxian Jun would never find them,
and they could live happily without worrying about anything…

He knew so little about the world. In half of his life, he served his master in the north, in the past
seven years he had been imprisoned by the emperor. He hasn’t been to many places. He
experienced too less things to know where to go, where to hide, how to live on their own in secret.

He was at halfway on the road to the village when the dizziness and uneasiness overcame on him.
He didn’t understand why it happened now.

He stopped and covered his face with one hand. The moon was shining brightly onto his slim,
white figure and suddenly Chu Wanning felt like the big pale face in the sky not only watched him
but heated him up as well.

He felt hot, and he started sweating, the dizziness became worse, and a strange pressure appeared
within his lower belly.

He took a few more steps towards the village. Mo Ran was there. He was waiting for him. Why
did he have to become sick again at such time…
The pressure in his abdomen turned into pain. It grew greater and greater with every passing
moment and Chu Wanning had to hug himself and squat on the road, just gritting his teeth and
trying to bear with it. Just… what was happening…?

He groaned and his legs trembled. He had never felt anything like that before. With his little
knowledge of medicine, he could only figure out that something was wrong at the place where his
womb was.

“What” he whispered painfully “do you want to go back to Taxian Jun…? We can’t, baby…”

Suddenly, the ground started to shake. Chu Wanning widened his eyes and turned his head back.
Some riders were coming from the city’s direction. They were not wearing the uniforms of the
palace, but they were indeed armed, the moon shone on their metal helmets and spears.

Chu Wanning didn’t know them. But he knew there would be nothing good if they found an
omega alone on the road. They could be bandits… even Taxian Jun’s never seen soldiers!

He used all his strength to get on the wheat fields and crawl between the plants, curling up and
hiding there, covering his white clothes.

His heartbeat fastened, as the horsemen got closer and closer. With them coming, the pain in his
abdomen also increased. He started sweating even more, his toes curled up in his boots as he
hugged himself on the ground and tried his best to be as quiet as possible.

The heavens were nice to him: when the soldiers passed by him, the moon was covered by grey
clouds, making the fields a lot darker. However, he still pressed his hand onto his mouth holding
his breath in. He could hear some of them talking:

“It’s so surprising he got this far in such short period of time…”

“It’s still better catching him out here than inside the city…”

They rode away, their chattering became distant and soon the fields were silent again, only the
wind moving the plants could be heard.

Chu Wanning was trembling on the ground.

He was unable to get up, unable to move. His whole body hurt, he was panting heavily, and his
hand was squeezed onto his belly. He shut his eyes tight when he felt something warm in his pants,
then flowing down on his thighs.

“Ngh…!”

Too much blood. There was way too much blood for a miscarriage. His underwear, his pants, his
dress, all the white clothes were ruined by the crimson red blood. Chu Wanning couldn’t watch.
Didn’t dare to move.

He kept panting until all the pressure, all the pain disappeared from his body. It took hours, but he
felt like it happened during one, extremely long minute. He didn’t sense the change of time, he just
laid there tiredly, and hurt. His baby was gone.

He didn’t think too much about it. He knew it would happen sooner or later the physician told him
that it was very likely to happen. His body was weak, and all the stress he was put under lately…

But…
 The pain that he felt in his lower belly crept up into his chest and stayed there, grabbing his heart
and squeezing it tight. He was an omega after all. Even if he tried to deny it, he would be attached
to all the babies he carries, no matter if they are born or not. He had never imagined the pain and
the grief being this great after carrying a fetus only for one month.

What would he tell Mo Ran? He can’t tell the baby is gone… he would go back to Taxian Jun and
try to take revenge… but he can’t hide the bloody clothes either…

He curled up even more and he started crying silently. His shoulders trembled, his chest was
waving, but he didn’t let out a single sound. He couldn’t. He wasn’t used to crying loudly.

He put his hands on his belly. He really tried to protect it after he learnt about his pregnancy… he
tried his best… tried to protect it from both brothers… yet… it was all useless.

He slowly, shakily took off his pants, then his underwear too. It was completely ruined, and the
thought of the baby might be in there made him sick and extremely mournful. He dug a small hole
with his nails into the ground, and as his tears fell, he put his folded underwear in it. He then
carefully buried everything.

You weren’t even born yet I made you suffer so much.

The moon was bright in the sky and as the time passed, it started moving downer on the starry sky.
A lot of time had passed, and Chu Wanning needed even more to gather all his strength and get up
again, continuing his way.

His steps were wobbly and unsure. He breathed heavily and had to stop for a few minutes to gather
his strength again. He was only going because he knew he would see Mo Ran in the village. He
really needed an alpha now… he needed comfort… from anyone… he wouldn’t even mind if
Taxian Jun waited for him at the end of the road.

By dawn, he finally reached the village. His vision was already blurry, and his legs so weak he
could barely keep himself up. He knew he was late, but he still looked around for Mo Ran, but
found him nowhere. Where could he be waiting for him…? It was so strange…

He tried to let out his scent to find him, but he was way too weak to do it. He felt dizzy again and
had to lean against one of the walls of a house. He panted for air and closed his eyes for a moment.

“Mo Ran…” he groaned out, trying to call out for him. There was no answer. A few peasants were
preparing the horses and oxen to go out and work on the fields. They were in the near and even
they couldn’t hear his weak call. They did see his bloody clothes though, and immediately guessed
that either he was badly raped, or had just given birth out there in the wilderness.

They came closer, out of curiosity and willingness to help. They tried to talk to him and tried not
touching him. If he was raped, he would be terrified if they tried holding his hand. They asked
where he came from and what had happened.

Chu Wanning’s cloudy gaze fell from one to another, focusing on none of them. He was way too
tired and weak to talk. He could only let out a painful groan before he passed out and fell onto the
ground unconscious.

Chapter End Notes

Uhm... so actually, it was Taxian Jun who put the poison in the lemon juice for the
empress I thought it would be clear, but I love your theories about it being Song
Qiutong, it would be surely exciting! It's just too late for me to come up with sqt
scheming against the late empress XD Song Qiutong only inteds to harm cwn right
now.

I'm so happy for all of your comments, thank you so much!!

What do you think, whose baby was it? Maybe it doesn't even matter at this point but I
still thought of the baby as someone's child...
 Chapter 18

That time, when Chu Wanning painfully lost his one-month-old fetus on the wheat fields, Taxian
Jun discovered in the palace that his precious concubine was gone. He grew angry, and first didn’t
even try to find him, but find the guards who were supposed to keep him in the chamber. He was
looking for them for more than an hour, but when he couldn’t get them, he ordered all the servants
to look for Chu Wanning.

He was furious and grew angrier with each step he took while going down to the dungeon to meet
his imprisoned little brother.

He was sure it was his doing. After all, he was in love with him and claimed Taxian Jun’s unborn
son to be his! How did he have the face! The audacity!

He grabbed the keys and yanked Mo Ran’s iron door opened. The prince was asleep on a pile of
hay in the tiny spot that the moonlight shone brightly. He was far not as bright as he used to be as
the prince. He was dirty, his clothes creasy, and his hair messy, with some straws in it.

Taxian Jun kicked him, and the prince woke up with a loud groan, curling up and rolling farther
from him. The pain woke up him immediately and he stared at his brother with full of hatred in his
eyes.

“What the fuck do you want?!”

Taxian Jun growled and let out his scent. It was intense and full of killing intent.

“You know what I came for.”

“Hell no!”

Mo Ran got up and growled back. He also started to let out his scent, only the two of them filled up
the whole dungeon and even the courtyard in front of it with their pheromones.

“Where is Chu Wanning?” Taxian Jun’s voice was like the snake’s hissing. His hand was shaking
from anger.

Mo Ran blinked, and for a moment, he even stopped letting out his pheromones. He widened his
eyes and took a step back. Wasn’t Chu Wanning in house arrest? Wasn’t he supposed to stay in his
house? He was pregnant! To think he has left without permission… without coming to Mo Ran
first…

“Is he missing?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know! He must have come here or something!” Taxian Jun growled.

“Since when is he missing?”

“Since a few hours… I don’t know… just tell me where he went! You know that he is with a child!
If something happens to him or my son, I’ll –“

Mo Ran growled back.

“That’s my baby!”
Taxian Jun wasn’t sure what to answer. He rather felt like beating up his brother until he either died
or agreed that Chu Wanning and the baby was his. Mo Ran’s body in front of him was stiffened
and his fists were trembling, ready to hit the emperor any time. His look was angry and dangerous,
but also rather confused and worried. Taxian Jun wondered: could it be that he actually knew
nothing about Chu Wanning’s disappearance?

The emperor took a step back and put his hand on his forehead. Chu Wanning, where the fuck was
he?

He looked at Mo Ran again. He stood in the cell indifferently, with the same look on his face. He
didn’t know at all what was going on.

Taxian Jun flickered his sleeves and left without another word, locking back the cell’s door. He
turned around to leave, but Mo Ran ran to the door and reached out, grabbing his robe through the
bars and pulled him back.

“Brother, what happened to Chu Wanning?”

Taxian Jun stopped and frowned, seeing his worried expression. There was no longer anger or
aggressivity in it. How does he have the audacity to be worried about the emperor’s concubine?

He grabbed Mo Ran’s hand and took it off his sleeve.

“Don’t call me your brother. You and I are enemies. We always have been.”

He then left, leaving Mo Ran there alone again. He decided to start and search for Chu Wanning in
the city as well. He knew Chu Wanning didn’t know the city well, maybe he had sneaked out and
just got lost… it would be easy to bring him back then…

Mo Ran stayed in his cell, not understanding anything. He bit his lip and started walking back and
forth in his small place. Wanning has disappeared… how? And why…? Mo Ran was still in
prison… and that damned Taxian Jun was also taking care of him in his own cursed way… did
someone kidnap him? Who? Who could it be?

His mouth was filled with blood, since he bit on his lip too hard. He swallowed it and leaned
against the wall and looked out of his small window. The sun was already high up in the sky.
Running and shouting could be heard from the courtyard. Chu Wanning must be still missing.

He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn’t even notice Liu-gong coming in the dungeon and
putting his breakfast down in his cell. The old servant coughed to be noticed.

Mo Ran’s dazed eyes finally focused, and he turned his head towards Liu-gong. He came closer
and leaned against the iron bars.

“Liu-gong, tell me, what’s going on out there…? I heard Chu Wanning is missing… what
happened to him?”

Liu-gong seemed to hesitate. He was asleep when the incident happened, he was awakened by the
emperor personally.

“Well… I only know that Concubine Chu has disappeared during the night, even though he was
heavily guarded… we cannot find him in the palace… he must have been escaped to the city.”

Mo Ran sat on the ground and just stared in front of himself. In the end… could it be that he wasn’t
kidnapped…? Did he escaped because he liked neither of the brothers…? No… it can’t be it…
there must be something else… Chu Wanning wouldn’t risk anything dangerous while being
pregnant with Mo Ran’s beautiful baby girl…

He looked up at Liu-gong with begging puppy eyes. He grabbed onto the bars as well. The old
servant looked down at him with sad, pitiful gaze.

“Liu-gong… can you get me some ink and paper…? I need your help… I must write a letter to
my… real brother.”

Chu Wanning’s throat felt dry, and his gaze was misty as he woke up late in the afternoon. He
blinked some and tried to find out where he was. The more he focused, the weaker he felt. He had
to close back his eyes and took some sharp breathes to gather his strength again.

He was in a house. He wasn’t sure where or whose house it was, but he knew it wasn’t in the
palace. The environment was full of unfamiliar scents, alphas, omegas, flowers, food… everything
mixed in the air and Chu Wanning felt sick. He instinctively wanted to build a nest and hide in
there for the rest of his life, but he was too weak to move.

He felt that he had a blanket on, and he wore a shirt and a pair of pants that were uncomfortably
wet between his thighs. What had happened…? Did he pee himself? No… the smell was
different… it was the smell of blood.

He suddenly remembered the events on the wheat field, and he felt like crying. He took another
sharp breath. It was over. His baby was buried under the golden plants out there.

He looked around with teary eyes, to find out where exactly he was. It was a small house, it was
only one room, with an entrance only covered with a ragged curtain. There was only one, rather big
bed in the corner, and in front of it there was a stove, where something was boiling, probably some
soup. There was an empty crib next to the bed as well, under the window. Its sight pained Chu
Wanning deeply. He had to turn his head away… only if he managed to keep his baby… he was
sure Mo Ran would have made a crib for their child from the finest wood.

Approaching footsteps could be heard and Chu Wanning quickly closed back his eyes. Someone
came inside, went to the stove, then came closer to Chu Wanning. The blanket was lifted, and
hissing could be heard. Then someone gently started to remove Chu Wanning’s pants.

The concubine’s eyes shot wide open, and his chest waved from the sharp breathes. There was a
middle-aged woman sitting on the edge of the bed. She wore simple clothing, and her hair was put
up with a grey ribbon. She must have been a peasant from the village. When she noticed Chu
Wanning was awake, she stopped taking off his pants and quickly ran to the stove to bring him
some warm water.

She helped him lifting his head so he could swallow the water.

“It’s okay… drink some… you lose so much blood… drink up… slowly.”

Chu Wanning obeyed since he was really thirsty. He spilled some of the water and gasped for air
after he drank it all, but it felt so good.

“I’m going to remove your pants now” the woman nodded. “They are soaking again…”

Soaking…? Soaking in blood probably. Chu Wanning pressed his lips together. His lower parts felt
completely numb, but he could feel that the wet clothes were removed. The woman brought a bowl
of hot water again and started cleaning Chu Wanning’s waist and legs with a sponge.
“Don’t worry. You’ve had a miscarriage… it happens sometimes. It happened to me as well. But…
you keep losing so much blood… it doesn’t stop… but don’t worry, we are going to take care of
you. My children know you; they begged my husband to take you home and help you…”

Chu Wanning frowned. He wanted to ask how they knew him but when he opened his mouth, no
words came out of his mouth, only a groan. He still was so weak. He didn’t care much what the
woman was doing between his legs.

“Aiya… look at you, it must have been so hard for you… where is your baby? Was it just a fetus?”

Chu Wanning gulped and nodded quietly.

“Then I won’t try to find it. I washed your clothes…”

Chu Wanning frowned and tried to lift his head to see what kind of clothes he was wearing now.
He felt extremely ashamed when he saw the bloody spot on the bed where his waist was. He even
made this kind woman’s bed messy…

“S-Sorry…” ha managed to say with creaky, quiet voice.

The woman looked at him a bit surprised. She then chuckled.

“I expected you to say thank you, not sorry” she said softly “Don’t try to talk. Gather your strength,
I will apply some medicine to stop the bleeding, it’s truly worrisome…”

The curtain was once again moved and a little girl entered, holding the hand of her toddler brother.
She waved with some herbs in her hand and hurried to her mother, dragging her little brother
behind herself.

“A-Niang, A-Niang, look I found what you needed!”

The woman covered Chu Wanning with the blanket again and took the herbs from her daughter.
After that she gently shushed her children.

“Your friend is awake, but he is still very weak. Please don’t be too loud around him” she ordered
them and then she got up to prepare the medicine from the herbs.

The little girl’s eyes shone up and she ran over to Chu Wanning’s head. She was wearing the kind
of jade hairpin that Taxian Jun gifted the children and Song Qiutong. She had a bright smile and a
gentle look.

“Gege’s pretty omega! I hoped you’d be back!”

Gege…? Oh…! She must mean Mo Ran! They must have met these children when he had his date
with Mo Ran… he never expected to be remembered this easily.

He tried to sit up again, but the little girl shook his head and motioned him not to get up.

“Gege’s pretty omega must stay still… mom says you need to fully recover… she says you have
lost your baby… was it gege’s baby? It must be his, when gege was here, he looked at you with
such loving eyes…!”

Chu Wanning opened his mouth again and coughed.

“Is gege here…?”

“No, we haven’t seen kind gege in a while” she said and put her brother up on the bed, then she
climbed up as well and they crawled on the other side of Chu Wanning.

Chu Wanning seemed broken when he heard Mo Ran wasn’t here. He turned his head away from
the children. Tears dwelled up in his eyes. If he wasn’t here… he probably couldn’t make it out of
the palace… he must have been caught… he must be executed for now… and their only child was
also gone… maybe it felt that its father also lost his life, so it gave up living too…?

The toddler started playing with his long inky hair. He picked it up and dropped it on the bed, awe
and amusement was shown on his small face. His big sister pursed her lips when she saw her
brother playing like this.

“No, not like that! I will braid the hair of gege’s omega!” she stated and picked up some of the inky
black locks on the bed.

Chu Wanning didn’t look at them. The little girl’s hands were so tender and gentle, he didn’t even
feel that someone was messing with his hair. His bottom lip quivered, and he shut his eyes, letting
silent tears fall down.

Mo Ran was gone. Mo Ran couldn’t make it, like he did. Then what was the point of running
away…? If he stayed at the palace… maybe the child would be still alive… maybe the physicians
could have saved his baby… but now… two lives were lost… and Chu Wanning was alone.

He gripped the bedsheet and choked sobs left his trembling body.

The woman turned around and quickly put her son in the crib and her daughter on the floor. Some
of Chu Wanning’s locks were braided together on the side already. The woman quickly brought
some water and gently rubbed Chu Wanning’s shoulder.

“Shh… sir… sir, it’s okay… you will just try again with your alpha and next time the baby will be
stronger…”

Chu Wanning’s heart ached. What alpha? He had no alphas. He abandoned Taxian Jun, and Mo
Ran was dead. Who should he turn to? Where should he go from here?

He cried, quietly and miserably. The woman sat with him and worriedly watched the blanket
becoming redder and redder. This was not normal. What was wrong with this man’s insides…? Did
he forcefully end his pregnancy?

“Sir… you need to calm down… I know it’s hard…”

Chu Wanning hid his face in his hands and his chest kept waving with the sobs. The woman sighed
and sent her daughter outside and put her son on the floor as well to follow her. When they were
alone again, the woman started to clean his legs again. She tried to ignore his weeping as much as
she could.

Once the omega started to calm down, and his tears were fewer, she looked up carefully.

“Are you from the inner city?” she asked.

Only the nobles and the emperor lived in the middle of the city. Chu Wanning’s robes were not
well decorated, but the fabric was clearly better than the type of the regular people used. Also, his
figure was so timid and his skin pale, she was sure he wasn’t doing hard work wherever he lived.

Chu Wanning gave her a single nod.

The woman frowned. She didn’t understand Chu Wanning’s situation even a bit. Why would
someone leave such rich place all alone with no money…? Was she thrown out? Could it be that he
was a mistress and after he got pregnant, he got expelled?

“There were some strange horsemen in hour village. They spent a few hours here, asking about an
extraordinary beauty that might pass by today. They were looking for someone like you.”

Chu Wanning looked at her. She must be talking about the people he had hidden from on the
wheat field during the night.

“Me and my husband agreed with our neighbors that we wouldn’t give you up. You are way to
weak to talk, and they didn’t look trustworthy. Every dog in the village barked at them.”

Chu Wanning leaned his head back. Well, maybe it was for the better.

“You can stay as long as you feel well enough to walk. Then you must leave, we don’t want
trouble to find us. We are peaceful people; we don’t want to offend the officials or the emperor.”

The concubine nodded. She was right. He had caused them so much trouble already. Someone
guarding him and taking care of him was probably too much for a poor family like this – they
would rather work to make more money.

Chu Wanning lifted his hand and pointed at his white clothes that were drying in the wind outside.
He could see them from his bed through the window.

“I have a hairpin. It’s made of jade. Please take it for your help” his voice cracked, and his hand
fell back on the bed.

To think he wanted to give that hairpin to his baby. To think he believed he could have a baby. It
was hopeless from the beginning.

The woman looked at him. Previously, when she washed his clothes, she searched them through.
There was nothing with him, except this single, precious looking hairpin.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly.

Chu Wanning nodded.

“Just take it. I don’t need it anyways” he said and turned his head away, towards the wall.

The woman watched him quietly, then just covered him with the blanket again. She walked to the
stove and started heating up another bowl of water. She couldn’t help but pity this mysterious man
who came to their village. He hoped this gege that the children mentioned would come and pick
his omega up soon. This man in her bed looked like he dearly missed someone from the inner city.
 Chapter 19

When Chu Wanning got a little better, he spent most of his time playing with the two kids of his
benefactor. They were sweet and always called him “gege’s pretty omega,” they never asked for
his name and Chu Wanning thought it was for the better.

He overheard a conversation between a traveler and the father of the children. The traveler told
him that the capital city was in chaos, the guards of the emperor were patrolling on the streets, and
they were checking every house one by one, looking for someone. No one had any idea who it
could be or why they were so important. Even though the citizens were offended by the actions,
they could do nothing to go against the emperor’s words. The villagers thought the soldiers would
come to their houses sooner or later as well.

Chu Wanning was not dumb, he knew that Taxian Jun was looking for him. He knew he couldn’t
stay for much longer. If the emperor’s guards reached the village and found him there, they would
surely punish this poor family for hiding him.

He was thinking about leaving for a whole day. He wasn’t used to moving around much, and he
was still pale and bleeding sometimes. However, it was much better, so he planned to leave in the
afternoon.

The little son of his benefactor curled up and fell asleep in his lap. He put his hand on his small
back that was rising and falling. The little girl was behind him, braiding his hair again. She did it
all the time, and she always said a pretty omega like him deserved a fancy hairstyle. Chu
Wanning’s heart ached for them. The children were so friendly towards him, the quiet stranger, it
made him feel warmth, but also chills. He couldn’t help imagining what it would have been like if
the baby and Mo Ran were still alive.

They would be already on the road… on the way to build their own home, to live peacefully and
hidden, like every peasant did. They would be already cuddling on their newly made bed, Mo Ran
would bury his face in his belly, calling their little daughter, telling her to grow big and strong.

He wiped the corner of his eyes as a teardrop formed in them. The baby boy turned in his lap and
the little girl suddenly jumped off the bed to get a small mirror. She showed Wanning the result
and grinned proudly.

She braided his hair then put it up into a bun, then decorated it with wildflowers she has picked
before.

“You are so pretty!” the girl stated and jumped on the bed, hugging his arm gently. Wanning
gently stroked her hair with a faint smile.

“Thank you” he said quietly. “Could you get your mother here, please?”

The girl looked at him with a worried expression.

“Are you hurt again?”

“No, nothing like that. Get her here please.”

In fact, there was always slight pain in his lower belly. He almost got used to it.

The little girl ran away and left her brother alone with Wanning. As the omega looked at the
toddler, he started wondering what would have happened if he stayed at the palace. Maybe the
physicians could have stopped him from losing his baby. Then… a little prince would have been
born after half year, and Taxian Jun would have gone all soft. He would have dressed Wanning in
red and gold, he would have put the finest golden crown on their son’s small head and giggle about
it. He would have raised their son with great care, with love, as he cared about the orphans of the
city as well.

The toddler on his lap turned again and stretched his small limbs. He could not yet speak properly,
only expressed himself through body language and emotions. He looked up at Wanning, and he
enjoyed the pretty scenery, he made grabby hands at him with a happy laugh.

Chu Wanning picked him up and carefully hugged him. He breathed in his scent and rocked him
some. He thought his own child would have had a similar scent. The smell of sunlight and joy…

The little girl and her mother soon returned, and Chu Wanning handed over the toddler to his
benefactor.

Chu Wanning got off the bed and knelt on the ground, kowtowing to her. He did it not only once,
but twice, then three times. The lady stared at him with wide eyes and blushed madly.

“What… what are you doing? You don’t need to…”

Chu Wanning pressed his forehead against the floor. He didn’t look up as he started talking.

“Thank you for helping me and taking me in for these few days. I’ll remember it for my whole life.
I can only give you my hairpin in return, but I believe karma will give you better compensation. I
shall take my leave today; I shall not bother you anymore.”

The lady blinked some, not completely understanding what had caused him to leave so soon. He
was still weak and bleeding sometimes after all…

“I cannot hold you back, if you want to go. I’ll prepare your clothes” she said and left to get Chu
Wanning’s belongings ready. When she came back, she handed her cleaned and dried clothes over
and even gave him some bread and water for the journey. “Where are you going from here?”

“Probably to the woods.”

The lady hummed as she rocked her toddler.

“Only those go to the woods who want to disappear from the outside world. Can it be… that you
are the one that the emperor is looking for?” she asked. She always had a slight suspicion, and now
that Chu Wanning was leaving, she had the courage to ask directly.

Chu Wanning’s body froze for a moment, and he pursed his lips. He looked down as he picked up
the little sack the lady prepared for him.

“Please for your own safety, don’t tell anyone I was here. His rage is enormous…” he mumbled
and lowered his head.

“What did you do to his majesty that he is now after you?” she asked quietly. She could already
imagine a whole love story between this omega and a commoner who tried to assassinate the
emperor, but the emperor found it out, killed the alpha, and now he was after Chu Wanning.

Chu Wanning seemed to hesitate about answering. He looked away and gently touched his lower
belly.
“He and I” he began slowly “we have fallen in love with the wrong people.”

He then turned away and headed to the exit.

“Thank you for everything again. May your family be healthy and have a good life. Goodbye.”

The lady’s face remained conflicted as she walked him out of the house with her children. She
nodded to him once more and the girl hugged Chu Wanning’s leg before letting him go and waving
until he had reached the woods and disappeared among the green leaves.

Chu Wanning didn’t exactly know which direction to go. He wasn’t familiar with these woods. He
decided to go deeper and deeper straight into the forest, and sooner or later he would find another
village somewhere.

However, the walking was getting hard. He was still weak, and he felt blood soaking his
underclothes again. He previously got some rags that he could put in his pants not to let it directly
mess his pants but it was really uncomfortable to have them in his pants while walking.

The ground was also rocky and full of bushes, he often had to change his direction to get around a
big cliff or avoid a bunch of nettles. His white robes were quickly dirtied by the mud.

He only stopped once in two hours to get some rest and drink some water. He leaned against a tree
and closed his eyes to enjoy the sounds of the forest. He hasn’t been to the woods since his early
childhood… it was so nice to explore the world again. He cared little about the money or the food
and water. Right now, that he was far away from the palace, he just wanted to forget, replace his
memories with something new, something better.

As he was resting there, enjoying the chirping of the birds and the small breeze on his pale skin, he
suddenly heard something else. Crackling sounds came from close behind and he opened his eyes
but decided to stay unmoved. No humans would come this deep to the forest after all.

Soon, a beautiful, enormous deer came out of the bushes. It was so close to Wanning, only a few
feet away. Chu Wanning didn’t dare to move, he only watched the deer in awe. It was so
mesmerizing as it elegantly walked in front of him then lowered its head to eat some grass before
continuing its way.

Chu Wanning couldn’t help but smile. He had never seen such animal from this close. It was like a
gift that the heavens gave him, to replace his memories with.

The deer lifted its head slowly and turned towards Chu Wanning. It looked deeply into his eyes,
being curious about the lone man sitting alone under the tree.

But the deer couldn’t stare for too long. Suddenly, an arrow flew out of nowhere and it hit the deer
in the stomach. It fell on the ground and started wailing, calling for help, help from anyone.

Chu Wanning abruptly stood up and as he pressed his back against the tree, he looked around
quickly where the hunter could be.

A few men in armors came out of the bushes and ran to the deer, slicing its throat, completely
silencing it for once and forever.

Chu Wanning felt sick. He stared at the bleeding animal in complete shock and fear. He took a step
backwards and in the next moment he turned around to run away.

But it was too late. The hunters have already noticed him and shouted after him.
Chu Wanning wasn’t dumb. He ran through bushes, almost falling, but he couldn’t get far. One of
them already chased after him and jumped on him, pushing him to the ground.

The man sat on his legs and pushed Chu Wanning’s shoulders down to the ground. The omega
struggled to get free, he was panting, his eyes full of terror as he turned his head sideways so he
could take a look at his chaser.

It was an alpha; he could see it clearly. And he already heard the others coming after them too.

“I got him!” the hunter yelled “I got him, come here quickly! He is an omega!”

He leaned down, pressing Chu Wanning deeper into the ground. Chu Wanning felt a stick pushing
against his chest and it hurt, but it was nothing compared to the fear he felt when the alpha leaned
closer and sniffled his neck.

“Unmarked! He has a sweet scent!” he told the others who finally got there.

The hunters surrounded him, and their eyes were still burning with the flames of the predators. All
of them wore the same uniform, but they weren’t the uniform of Taxian Jun’s army. Who could
they be? Some high lord’s personal guards?

“What are you waiting for? Silence him before the Young Master hears him” the man on Chu
Wanning’s back said. “I’ll go first since I caught him.”

The others rolled their eyes, but let the man go first. Chu Wanning had an uneasy feeling about
this. His eyes were wide as he was turned onto his back and another hunter grabbed his wrists,
keeping them above his head. The one sitting on him moved down, to lift Chu Wanning’s robe and
remove his pants.

“No!” Chu Wanning tried to kick, but another one grabbed his leg immediately. “Let me go! Let
me go right now!” his voice was harsh, but at the same time somewhat pitiful.

He had tried to resist Taxian Jun so many times and there was never avail. Taxian Jun was only one
alpha, but right now, he was surrounded by four. He panicked and started yelling as he struggled to
get free.

“Let me go! Get away from me!” he screamed, but a dirty rag was already pushed into his mouth
and his pants were removed.

He could only wail and moan now. He breathed heavily as he looked at each one of them, seeking
for help. They… they didn’t plan to rape him one by one, right? Right?

The hunter who has removed his pants, started laughing.

“Look at this! Is he having a period or what?”

“More like he has just given birth” another one claimed and looked at Chu Wanning’s dirtied face.
“What a slut… where have you thrown your own baby?”

Chu Wanning started shaking his head intensely. He didn’t know why he felt the urge to explain it
to them. He lifted his head and tried to break free once more, but he was only rewarded with a slap.

“Wipe the blood away and it’ll be good” another one said “Hurry up, he looks too beautiful when
he looks at us with those eyes…”
“I’m already hard…”

Chu Wanning’s fear ran through his bones and cold sweat appeared on his whole body. No… not
again… no more humiliation… no more sex… no more babies…

He tried to scream again, but the rag in his mouth prevented him from it. He was helpless, but he
wasn’t going to give up on resistance.

“Little beauty… stop making noises or I must put something else in your mouth” the one who was
holding his hands down told him.

The flowers and his hairstyle that the little girl made for him in the village were completely ruined.
His clothes that the lady kindly washed also became dirty. All he got seemed to be lost just in a few
minutes.

The hunter that was going first was messing between his legs, tried to remove the blood, intensely
rubbing his inner thighs and his entrance. It was already too much for Chu Wanning. He wasn’t
crying, his face was as cold as ice, he knitted his brows and tried to struggle some more while
letting out loud groans and wails to let him go.

“Baby, do you really need to be like that? I don’t want to hit you; you need to be awake to make
such pretty faces…”

Chu Wanning turned his head away and he lifted his hips, trying to break free again. He shut his
eyes close and tried to make them stop again.

“Ahhem.”

Someone coughed. It was a voice he hasn’t heard until now. Chu Wanning opened his eyes and
saw a young man, wearing the same armor as the hunters, and holding a long blade to the throat of
the one who was going to rape him first. There stood some other soldiers behind him as well.

Once the hunters spotted him, they immediately let go of Chu Wanning, and the one who was
kneeling between Chu Wanning’s legs slowly stood up with the sword still pointing at his throat.

Chu Wanning took his chance to take the rag out of his mouth and quickly cover himself with his
robes. He crawled backwards a bit and stared up at his savior. He was about the same age as Mo
Ran, he had a high ponytail, and his chin was proudly raised toward the sky.

“Take them away” he ordered “And punish them.”

“Yes, young master” some of the soldiers took the hunters away, who gritted their teeth, but they
could do nothing, they were caught already.

Once they left, the young master threw Chu Wanning his pants. He then saw the bloody spots on
them, frowned and blushed deeply.

“My healers will treat your… wound” he said as he turned his head away while Chu Wanning was
putting on his clothes and stood up onto his wobbly legs. “Are you from the capital city?”

Chu Wanning lowered his head and wasn’t answering. He didn’t know who they were and if they
were to give him up to Taxian Jun… he couldn’t trust armed people like them at all.

The young master coughed again, and slight blush was still playing on his cheek. He was
seemingly not used to being ghosted.
“Come with me, anyway. You might still be able to help me. I’m not familiar with this area…”

He turned away and believed that Chu Wanning would follow him. However, after a few steps, he
turned around and saw that he was still standing at the same spot as before. He wasn’t sure what to
say anymore, but he was getting a bit annoyed. He opened his mouth, but Chu Wanning was faster
than him.

“Who are you?” he asked quietly, still looking at the ground. It was still not too late to try and run
away.

The young master put his long blade away and put his hands on his hips as if he was pouting.

“I’m Xue Meng, Xue Ziming, young lord of Sisheng western state.”

Chu Wanning didn’t know why, but the name sounded familiar. Some ease moved into his heart,
and he let out a deep breath. He took a shaky step, then another one as he slowly followed the
young master back to his camp which was set in the middle of the woods.
 Chapter 20
Chapter Notes

Aaaaa I know it's late and short and bad, but at least we are getting closer and closer to
the grand ending >~<

Chu Wanning had no idea where he was and why he was there. Xue Meng got him a doctor as he
promised, and although it was a doctor that was used to treat injured soldiers, sew wounds and cut
off limbs, he managed to get Chu Wanning some painkillers and cleaned him up as best as he
could, even though he was surprised by the fact he had to treat an omega who had recently
miscarried.

After he was done with everything, he led Chu Wanning to the other side of the camp. Xue Ziming
had a large camp, in the middle of the forest. The omega had a bad feeling about it. Why would the
young lord of a western state be here, camping in the woods with a pretty big army of soldiers…?
Were they going to ambush the city? Kill the people…? He thought it was odd.

Xue Meng’s tent was the biggest and fanciest one in the whole camp. He had a large wooden bed
and a table and a chair too with a whole set of teacups. He wasn’t sure if he was brought here to be
the new concubine of this young lord or just talk to him about the area or whatever interested him.

Xue Meng of Sisheng was currently writing a letter at the table with fast, hasty lines. A little cadet
next to him was diligently grinding ink for him. When his lord was done, he quickly took the letter
and left the tent. Xue Meng raised his head and crossed his arms. There was something… childish
about his whole posture.

“Why do you want to talk to me?” Chu Wanning asked. He didn’t sit down, even though the doctor
poured tea for the two before leaving.

Xue Meng motioned him to sit down so Chu Wanning slowly obeyed and looked into the eyes of
the young alpha. He was indeed younger than Mo Ran. He was not as mature as him either.

“Are you from the city?” Xue Meng asked.

“Yes.”

“Have you ever been to the palace?”

Chu Wanning pressed his lips together. Just what was all this good for?

“Yes.”

Xue Meng’s eyes shined up and brought some maps over. They were some sketches of the city,
and only one was drawn well. He frowned as Xue Meng put them in front of him with great care.

“So… here is the palace… where from-“

Chu Wanning put his hand onto the map and looked deep into the eyes of Xue Meng. His
expression was deadly serious as he stared at him.
“I’m not going to betray them. I won’t let you attack the city.”

Xue Meng looked startled. He pulled his hand back, and he became really confused. He looked
down at the maps then up at Chu Wanning’s face.

“Do you not know who I am?” he asked.

Chu Wanning pressed his lips together. Probably just another tyrant… just like Taxian Jun.

“Xue Meng, Xue Ziming.”

“Young lord of Sisheng state” Xue Meng nodded as he added his title. He really was proud of it.
“And my brother is imprisoned in the palace. I must save him at all costs.”

Chu Wanning frowned. He couldn’t remember anyone from the western states being imprisoned.
He didn’t care about the prisoners much though. He crossed his arms.

“It’s not worth attacking a city for a single person” he stated and decided – he wouldn’t let anyone
hurt a single citizen.

Xue Meng stared at him. He looked like a wronged youngster. He was indeed one.

“The prison is heavily guarded…” Chu Wanning mumbled and turned his head away. “With the
emperor guarding it… even a prince couldn’t escape.”

His heart was filled with deep sadness as he said this out loud. He felt like his already broken heart
lost another piece to grievance. He wished Mo Ran was here… only if he was here… he might
have saved their baby… Chu Wanning wouldn’t be so alone… so lonely in the world among all the
kindhearted people…

“That’s why I’m saving him.”

Chu Wanning lifted his head and until now he tried to keep his straight, serious face, but now, he
just became confused and unsure. He started to tremble.

“W-What…?”

“I’ve grown up with the prince of this state… he is a friend… a brother to me. He asked for help
thus I came to rescue him and help him find someone.”

Chu Wanning’s heart was suddenly filled with the ray of hope. He stopped trembling for a
moment, his pursed lips parted as he stared at Xue Meng with a somewhat strange expression. Xue
Meng even got scared.

“Are you okay? I can call the doctor – “

Chu Wanning had to quickly push the hope away. He knew it was false. Everything was over. Mo
Ran had been executed… he was already in the heavens with their baby… playing together and
singing songs, careless about worldly matters.

“The prince is gone” at least Xue Meng also should know it. A false hope was not hope at all.

“Huh?”

“The emperor… executed him…”

Xue Meng started staring at him even more. His look was in disbelief and horror. He crossed his
arms and knitted his brows.

“Impossible. He has sent me a letter this morning as well. He is giving me instructions on how to
charge in and how to rescue hi- “

“Let me see that letter.”

Chu Wanning was sure this was some kind of bad joke. Maybe Taxian Jun was luring these
soldiers into a trap. It couldn’t be real. Mo Ran was not alive. He couldn’t be alive.

Xue Meng stood up with a sigh and he picked up a brownish paper and put it in front of Chu
Wanning. What was wrong with him?

“This is yesterday’s letter.”

Chu Wanning picked up the paper abruptly. He widened his eyes as he saw the familiar characters,
the hasty brush lines, the sign of Mo Ran’s ring at the end of the paper.

He started trembling as he stared at the words that instructed Xue Meng what to do and how to do
it. His mind couldn’t put them together. He was so overwhelmed by the fact that Mo Ran was alive
that his heart almost put itself together in a mere moment and beat loudly the sound of hope. “He is
alive! He still wants to be right beside me!”

He couldn’t help but hug this piece of paper to his chest as tears started falling from his eyes. He
kept trembling and just hugged the letter even more when Xue Meng came closer to check if
everything was alright. He was not going to give the letter back soon. When he saw Chu
Wanning’s tears, he backed away and panicked, not being sure what to do about a crying omega.

After a few moments he gathered his courage to ask:

“A-Are you okay?”

“He is alive” Chu Wanning answered. This was the only thing that mattered now. He cared little
about the army in the forest, he didn’t mind Xue Meng wanting to attack the city. Mo Ran was
alive!

Xue Meng was not the smartest person around. He stared at his new acquaintance not
understanding anything about this whole… thing. However, his instincts still suspected something
because the next thing was the most important, he asked.

“Who are you to my brother?”

Chu Wanning finally lifted his head. He didn’t let go of the piece of paper, nor wiped the tears that
were still gathering in his eyes. He wasn’t sure how to answer. He no longer knew who he was or
whom he belonged.

“A close friend…” he mumbled after a while. His cheeks were red anyways from crying so his
blush wasn’t noticeable.

“Then why did you leave him in trouble? Why didn’t you try to save him?” he asked.

Chu Wanning finally lowered the paper and his gaze too. He brushed the wrinkles he caused on
the letter and his breathing became a little sharp. Oh, only if this young lord knew…
“I was deceived…”

Xue Meng couldn’t understand him, but he could see the pain and worry in his eyes with the hint of
hope. He sighed and turned his head away.

“If you want to come to the palace with me to rescue him, it’s fine. Just don’t be a burden” he said.
Actually, he really wanted someone local to show them the way, since he tended to get lost. But he
couldn’t just ask an injured omega to come with them in the frontline!

Chu Wanning’s face stayed expressionless as he fell into his own thoughts, measuring the weight
of his possible choices. Xue Meng was quite impatient about it. His hand clenched into a fist and
kept his breath inside as he watched the man in front of him.

The omega finally lifted his head and looked into his eyes.

“I’m coming with you, with one condition. You cannot harm the emperor.”

“Taxian Jun?” Xue Meng spat “He imprisoned my brother! I won’t let it go without vengeance!”

His words were strong and harsh. He proudly puffed his chest out as he talked. He was a youngster
with a brave heart – but no match for Taxian Jun.

Seeing Chu Wanning’s desperate look, he bit his lip. Was Chu Wanning not coming with them
now…?

“… I will spare his life” Xue Meng added in the end. “Don’t worry, he will live. The main goal is
to get Mo Ran out and reunite him with that concubine…”

He turned away, being too proud to talk about such lovers and bed-warmers. Chu Wanning stood
up and bowed. Xue Meng turned back to him, and his jaw fell by the sight. This omega’s eyes were
shining with the most vivid light he could imagine. He was also smiling despite the events that had
happened in the forest.

Xue Meng had no idea why he was so happy; yet seeing him like this made him become a little
calmer, a little happier as well.

“You may go now. You can ask for some new clothes from my assistants. The day after tomorrow
we will rescue my brother, be ready.”

Chu Wanning nodded and left the tent without another word. He looked up at the sky in the middle
of the forest. The sun was high up there still, smiling down at him, and it seemed closer than ever.
Chu Wanning couldn’t see the sun. It was Mo Ran, his warmth embracing him, his precious smile
hugging his heart. He was alive. He would see him again soon.
 Chapter 21
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

On the next day Chu Wanning helped as much as he could to Xue Meng. They discussed
strategies, but it seemed like getting in was going to be easy – Mo Ran told them about a secret
tunnel that led straight to the palace so the soldiers could use it to get inside.

The main task was to rescue the prince, so Chu Wanning told several times not to kill anyone at the
palace. He cared about the servants there – even though they were afraid of him and sometimes
even suffered because of him. Xue Meng just nodded all the time, so Chu Wanning thought he
never took seriously his words. Once he even asked if the omega wanted to stay at the camp. He
thought it would be dangerous, because Chu Wanning couldn’t fight.

Chu Wanning indeed thought of staying in the woods and waiting for Xue Meng and Mo Ran to
return… what a feeling would it be if he could run into the arms of the prince among the trees, and
having Mo Ran’s strong arms enveloping him and never letting him go again…

But he thought of other things as well. If something went wrong in the palace, and Taxian Jun
wanted to kill either Mo Ran or Xue Meng, only Chu Wanning could stop him. Or at least he
hoped he could stop him if he had to…

The omega had to strengthen himself both in body and soul to join the western army and rescue his
lover from the dungeon. For once he listened to every word of the doctor and ate everything that
could make his body recover faster. At night, he stared at the ceiling of the tent for a long time,
imagining all the scenarios that could occur and thought of how to solve them. However, when the
night of the action came, he felt weaker than ever in his mind.

They were covered by darkness as they left the woods and headed towards the capital. Not even a
torch was lit, and the clouds also covered the moon. Chu Wanning tried to stick to Xue Meng as
they walked in complete silence, only the clinging of the armors could be heard.

Their walk was heavy with worries and fear, most of the soldiers were young, but their hearts full
of pride and strength, just like their leader’s. Xue Meng went straight to the back of the city walls
where his people soon found the secret tunnel that led into the royal palace.

It was originally a tunnel that helped the royal family escape is something extremely bad has
happened, and thus, only the emperor’s family knew about this tunnel. Chu Wanning has learnt
about it from Xue Meng. He bit his lip once he entered behind the western prince. Only if he knew
this tunnel existed… he could have escaped a lot sooner… not getting into all the hardships he had
to experience in the past months…

He wondered if he stayed with Taxian Jun, would he needed to use this tunnel to escape? Maybe
with their small child in his arms? Would the people rise up against their emperor and try to burn
their home along with his concubine and little baby?

It was maybe better not to know. He touched his belly as they walked forward, until they reached
the palace walls, where Xue Meng turned around and looked at those who followed him from
close behind.

“Tonight, we shall free my brother” he then looked at Chu Wanning. “You better stay here until
some of us return.”

Chu Wanning looked down and nodded. He was bad at fighting anyway. He was even less sure
about fighting without harming the enemy too much. He still cared about the servants of this
palace.

Xue Meng nodded, and he blew out the torch they used in the dark tunnel. He pushed Chu
Wanning into a crack of the wall so the others could pass by him without any trouble. He then
opened the secret door and quietly left. He knew where to go. Chu Wanning, and the letters of Mo
Ran clearly explained him where the dungeon was.

Chu Wanning held his breath back until everyone left and the door was only a bit opened. He
moved closer to the door and peeked outside, his heart thumping loudly in his chest. This was Song
Qiutong’s garden. Oh, he really hoped she was asleep…

Mo Ran was restlessly walking back and forth in his small cell. It was not even half as lit as usually
because of the moon covered by the clouds. Recently he has been nonstop thinking about
Wanning, how he could be, where he could be. He always imagined what it would be like to
finally hold him in his arms, to take him again one night… but unfortunately it had to be on another
night. This was a way different night he had to face.

It was a perfect night to escape. And he knew he would. Xue Meng could be clumsy sometimes,
but he was the only one Mo Ran could trust enough… he was sure they would get him out of here.
He squeezed his hand into a fist once he heard someone shout, then the sounds of clinging blades
and running came down to his little cell.

He ran to his window and tiptoed, trying to see what was going on out there. It must be Xue Meng
and his army. He tried to see what was going on in the light of the torches and lanterns, but in the
next moment, a black body fell in front of his window and Mo Ran jumped back from it.

Blood was already flowing into his cell, and he could tell that it was the armor of a royal guard.
Xue Mengmeng was finally here!

He ran to the other side of his cell, grabbing the bars and pressing his face against them, trying to
see the corridor better where his rescuers could come.

He didn’t need to wait for long. Within a few minutes, three dark robed men came down and one of
them was desperately calling out for his brother. Mo Ran could recognize the young lord’s voice.

“Mengmeng, I’m here!” he yelled and stuck his arm out among the bars.

Xue Meng ran up to him and one of his soldiers started to try the keys on his cell door.

“One more Mengmeng and I will just leave you here. We must hurry. We have been spotted –“

“Did you really think you can come to the palace with a whole army unnoticed?!”

Xue Meng growled and was about to spit back an answer, but in this very moment the right key
was finally found, and the cell door was opened. Xue Meng unsurely opened his arms for a hug,
but Mo Ran didn’t seem to notice. He headed straight to the entrance and picked up a spear beside
the door.

“Let’s go! If they find out you have entered through the secret tunnel, they will block the way and
there would be no way out!”
“Shit.”

Xue Meng gritted his teeth as he quickly followed the prince. He remembered leaving the omega
in the tunnel, it would be unfortunate if he was burnt to death in there. As they left the dungeon, he
grabbed his horn and blew it twice. It was the sign for retreat, since they got the prince out.

However, the garden was even a bigger mess than Xue Meng remembered he left it. The emperor’s
soldiers had quickly picked their spears and came to protect the palace from the intruders.

Yelling, the sound of clinging swords could be heard, and the smell of blood and burnt wood
quickly filled the air. Mo Ran didn’t think much of it as he fought his way through the soldiers.
His blood boiled. These people failed him, bowed to an emperor that was incapable of ruling, was
no better than a horny, crazy alpha. They threw Mo Ran into prison, they locked him behind iron
bars never to see sunlight again! They put Chu Wanning in a golden cage, claiming that his child
was Taxian Jun’s!

He let out an intimidating warcry as he lifted his spear again. They were battling in front of a long
staircase which led to the emperor’s main hall, where the feasts and dinners were usually kept. Mo
Ran didn’t look at the building on the top of the stairs – he no longer had business there. He just
had to get through this garden, get to the secret tunnel then go and find Chu Wanning.

Suddenly, the cold clang of another kind of sword echoed in the air. The fight seemed to slow
down, even stop for a few moments as if a dark, suffocating cloud has fallen from the black sky,
trying to suppress everyone.

Emperor Taxian Jun has arrived.

His steps were slow as he started to walk down on the stairs and among the fighting people, his
lavender eyes flashed from one onto another. He was looking for the one who caused this mess in
his palace.

It didn’t take a long to notice Mo Ran fighting alongside the strangers. Fury and several questions
flashed through his mind. How could this happen? Was there not enough precautions to keep the
prince locked up? Who was this small group who came to rescue him?

Anger was fast to wipe the questions out of his mind. What happened, happened. Now he had to
lock his brother back up – maybe cut off his legs and remove his tongue. It would be safer that
way.

He reached the bottom of the stairs and a foreign soldier stood in front of him with a sword in his
hand. It took only a moment for Taxian Jun to cut off his head and his blood squirt on his face.
Taxian Jun’s facial muscles flinched, but he didn’t make efforts to wipe it off. It was enough for
him to see the enemy soldiers took a step back in startled fear.

Mo Ran was the only one who came forward in his messy, simple clothes to face his own brother.
His eyes were mirroring the same fury and determination as his brother’s. He shoved the spear
towards him as a warning, but he was still too far to actually pierce Taxian Jun. The emperor knew
this too and he stayed motionless.

He was not as bright as he was before. Since Chu Wanning disappeared, he barely slept and ate. He
used all his strength to look for his concubine, to take him back to the palace unharmed and with a
healthy fetus growing inside him. He just couldn’t give up on him and his son yet.

But due to his tireless searching and efforts to keep himself together, he was not as strong as before.
Mo Ran neither was in his best shape after eating less food for the past days. Two tired, yet angry
brothers stood face to face in front of the palace. They both knew this was no longer about Chu
Wanning – things were getting out of their hands.

“Tell your soldiers to retreat” Mo Ran said with a strong, almost growl-like voice “I will leave and
never return. Keep your throne and might, I need none of that.”

If Taxian Jun believed him at this point, or think of the offer, many innocent lives could have been
saved. It would have been the rational decision. Chu Wanning seemingly no longer belonged to
either of them. All that left was his throne, but seriously, who cared about power if he couldn’t
have Chu Wanning and his son by his side?

In his eyes it really was Mo Ran’s fault. He kept the concubine all to himself for the past seven
years. There has never been a problem. Chu Wanning loved him, maybe not as much as Taxian Jun
him, but still, they were in love, and after seven years their love was about to bloom due to their
child. It was all gone. In these past days he never cared about the empire. He has never even
looked at Song Qiutong when she came to ask him politely to have food with her. He was nothing
without Chu Wanning.

Thus, if he found him later but Mo Ran was still alive, it would still be as problematic as in the past
months.

He laughed maniacally and covered his face. With the situation being like this Mo Ran still asked
for mercy?

“Why not die first, after that I will let your corpse be buried out of this city” he said and lifted his
sword.

Mo Ran’s expression was rather annoyed. How could he think he would get away without a fight?
He charged forward and an intense fight started between the two brothers. Sword and spear clashed
against each other, their scents were mixed, just fueling the hatred and bloodthirst in their eyes even
more. The others started to leave them alone, either retreating or fighting a little farther,
desperately trying to get back to the tunnel.

Taxian Jun was sure about his victory. He once has already defeated his brother with his bare
hands, he was sure it would be the same with a sword even though he felt like shit all day.

“Brother!”

It was not them, who called for each other. Xue Ziming ran over, seeing Mo Ran fighting with the
emperor. He had a long blade in his hands and came to aid his childhood friend.

“You’ve already found a new brother, I’m impressed” Taxian Jun spat as he blocked both of their
attacks. He jumped a few steps up on the stars and growled at them. “Two against one, Mo Ran,
how shameless are you?”

“It doesn’t have to be like this” Mo Ran shouted “Just let us go!”

“In your dreams!” Taxian Jun lifted his sword above his head and jumped down, attacking them
fiercely.

Xue Meng stood firmly, but not as firmly to block the attack of the emperor. Mo Ran had to push
him away so Taxian Jun’s blade only scratched his shoulder and his armor. The prince shouted at
him.
“Leave this to me, Mengmeng!” he then attacked again, just as fiercely as before.

The young lord of Sisheng couldn’t even follow their movements precisely. He had to stand back
and join his own men in the fight, letting Mo Ran handle the crazy emperor by himself.

It was better like this after all. Mo Ran knew the enormous power his older brother had, and truly,
it was frightening to face it first. The prince couldn’t even imagine how Chu Wanning managed to
live next to him for so many years. He had no choice but to accept everything that Taxian Jun said
and did, huh?

Even though he was powerful, this time he seemed slower and less strong. Mo Ran didn’t know
why it was, but it gave him the feeling that he can win. He was attacking tirelessly, and he
managed to make Taxian Jun retreat on the stairs. He was making his way upper and upper, and
Mo Ran’s morale was boosted by this.

Taxian Jun attacked again. Mo Ran managed to dodge it, but the handle of the spear broke in his
hands. He stared at his weapon in disbelief, and he barely had enough time to jump away from his
brother’s next attack. He stared at Taxian Jun’s crazy eyes. He was already having the victory in
his hands. Mo Ran could barely protect himself with a broken spear.

“Brother!” Xue Meng screamed from the garden that turned into a battlefield.

Mo Ran looked down at him with wide eyes. Xue Meng pulled up a bow and when he saw Mo Ran
stepping a bit further from the emperor. He shot his arrow, that hit the emperor in the shoulder. It
happened so fast, Taxian Jun couldn’t dodge it. He wasn’t wearing any armor, so blood
immediately started soaking through is black clothes. He growled and broke the arrow, so it
wouldn’t bother him that much in the moving.

Mo Ran lifted his broken spear, ready to throw it at the emperor. However, he hesitated. He was
about to throw his only weapon away, if he missed it, Taxian Jun could still attack him, slice his
throat in no time. If he didn’t miss….

His heart was beating in his ears as he bit his lip and tried to prepare himself properly to kill his
own brother.

Unfortunately, at a situation like this, one cannot think or prepare for long. He had to throw the
broken spear so he indeed threw it. It flew, the time seemed to slow down. Taxian Jun was about to
lift his arm with his blade to attack his brother again, to tear out his throat and burn his corpse – but
he was stopped by a hit on his chest.

He stopped and with wide eyes, he stared down at the weapon that was stuck in his flesh, between
his ribs. A moment later he had to lean onto his sword for support as he coughed up blood. He
reached up to hold onto the handle of the spear that was still out of his chest. He was a tough
person. He tried to pull it out.

Xue Meng held the bow in his hand and pulled out a knife with the other one. He ran up on the
stairs.

“How is he still alive?!” he yelled at Mo Ran who put his arm out, not letting him run over to
Taxian Jun to slice his throat for once and forever.

Mo Ran panted as he looked into his older brother’s lavender eyes. Both of them had the same hate
as before, the same bloodthirst. Taxian Jun’s eyes has not yet given up. But Mo Ran, Mo Ran’s
eyes were telling him to stop, to let them go already.
 Loud, high pitched screams sounded from the garden, even louder and more than before. Mo Ran
and Xue Meng turned around to see what has happened and saw a few people running around with
flaming clothes. It seemed that Taxian Jun’s soldiers were throwing flammable fluids at them.

When they turned back to the stairs, Taxian Jun has already disappeared. Xue Meng looked around
furiously and called out for the injured emperor, but he got no answer. Mo Ran grabbed his hand.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Xue Meng nodded and by blowing his horn again, ordered his troops to leave the palace, as fast as
possible.

Chapter End Notes

Heey long time no see I'm not dead hehe

Thank you for all your kind comments, they make me really happy T.T

Sooo Ithought I would finish this story with this chapter, but it would have been so
long, I decided to split it. So the next one will be the last chapter of the fic, I hope
you'll enjoy it till the very end OwO I plan to show you in the next chapter what fmv
inspired me to write this fic
 Chapter 22
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Chu Wanning felt like he had been hiding in the dark tunnel for ages now. He heard the shouts, the
sound of the fight. He couldn’t help but helplessly clench his hand onto the black fabric of his
clothes and waiting for Xue Meng’s return with a racing heart.

He had no idea what was going on there, but the worst scenarios were flashing through his mind
every time he heard a scream that was similar to Mo Ran’s voice. In his imagination, both the
prince and the young master were already slayed, and their skins were removed so Taxian Jun
could use them as carpets to step on.

Or could it be the shouts of Taxian Jun? Could he be just as hurt as Mo Ran? He didn’t want to see
either of them die.

His heart was filled with worry, and he felt like he no longer could breathe in the small tunnel that
could save them all from the soldiers and the fury of the emperor. He gulped down his tears, and
shut his eyes close, trying not to pay attention to the events out there.

However, suddenly many screams could be heard at once. Chu Wanning looked up the sky
through the gap of the door. The roofs were covered in red, the red of the flames. His heart skipped
a beat.

Mo Ran!

He got up and stumbled out of his hideout without thinking. He left the tunnel and stared at the
roofs. That is the biggest courtyard. Once one enters the palace that’s where they get, right in front
of the main hall and the main staircase…

He had to get there! Taxian Jun must be already there!

He picked his robes up and started running towards it. He had to find them! He had to be with
them!

Panic took over his mind and he couldn’t think straight. He didn’t care if he couldn’t fight at all.
He was just a concubine, but he knew all the weak spots of Taxian Jun. Even Mo Ran’s. He still
could stop this!

He almost reached the door that led to another garden, when he heard someone calling for him. He
instinctively stopped.

“Chu Wanning!”

It was a woman’s voice. He turned around and saw Song Qiutong running to him in long, white
clothes, that were embroidered with silver silk. Chu Wanning realized in shock that it used to be
his own robe – it was just modified a bit so a woman could also wear it.

Song Qiutong moved fast. Soon, something shiny appeared in her hands too and a small knife was
held against Chu Wanning’s throat who backed until his back was pressed against the wall of the
courtyard.
“What…” he breathed out, but Song Qiutong pressed her hand onto his mouth. Chu Wanning could
barely breath. He tried to wriggle out of her hands, but when he moved his arms, her knife just
pressed more against his neck.

“You miraculously escaped, why did you come back?! Why did you have to come back?!” she
hissed with pure hatred and anger.

Why did he come back? For Mo Ran! Of course, he had returned to take Mo Ran out of here!

“You managed to get away from the soldiers… managed to hide in the dark just like a sneaky,
fucking rat… can it be that you still have that damned creature in you as well?”

Chu Wanning started to get short on air. His chest was waving, and he couldn’t do anything but
bite Song Qiutong’s hand. The future empress quickly pulled her hand away with a quiet yelp. She
soon realized it was not an injury to worry about. She just grew angrier and attacked Chu Wanning
with the silver knife. The omega quickly raised his arms to protect his face, but his lower arm was
cut, and he bit his lip in pain.

He didn’t want to fight. He didn’t know how to fight. To be honest, he wasn’t even understanding
the situation.

He tried to grab the door again, to leave the courtyard as fast as possible, find Mo Ran and escape,
but Song Qiutong grabbed his clothes and pulled him back.

Chu Wanning has never imagined she was this strong. He lost balance for a moment, but in the
next moment he tried to get away from her again.

“I need to find Mo Ran!” he told her. “I need to find him, then I’ll leave!”

“As long as you live, Taxian Jun will never love anyone else!” she yelled and jumped on him, they
both fell on the ground.

“Let me go!” Chu Wanning cried and grabbed Song Qiutong’s wrists, trying to keep the blade
away from himself.

“You ruined my life! Suffer for it, you whore!” she yelled.

Her back was facing the door of the courtyard, and she was so occupied by the fight with Chu
Wanning, she didn’t notice that someone has entered the garden. Neither Chu Wanning noticed it.
He could only see a long, black blade shining up for a moment in the dim light, then the blood of
Song Qiutong covered his whole face.

The body of the woman fell aside, the head that still resembled anger and hatred, rolled away into
the shadows.

Taxian Jun panted in front of Chu Wanning, leaning against his blade. He looked at his concubine,
and despite his current state, his eyes were still shining with the same old flames. Chu Wanning
quickly wiped the blood out of his eyes but he couldn’t bear his body to make further movements.
He kept laying on the floor, staring up at Taxian Jun with an unsure expression. He saw his
bleeding shoulder and the broken spear still in his chest. He trembled, and even though he didn’t
know what to think, he felt like crying.

“I knew you’d come back to me” Taxian Jun smiled, then bent over, coughing shaking his whole
body. He held onto his sword tightly, and the blood he spat out fell straight to Chu Wanning’s feet.
Chu Wanning quickly pulled his feet up to his stomach then he slowly got up. His heart was aching
as he looked at Taxian Jun who seemed happy to see him. Chu Wanning couldn’t bear seeing him
like this. He stepped closer and swallowed his tears. He wrapped his arm around his waist, trying
not to hurt him even more.

“Lean on me. I still have some medicines in my old house.”

Luckily, the room he used to live before being moved to house arrest was close. The place where
he lived for seven years. The place where Taxian Jun loved him almost every night.

The emperor was wheezing, but seemingly he still didn’t get enough air into his lungs. They were
probably filled with blood by now.

Chu Wanning’s slim body could barely carry Taxian Jun’s whole body, and the emperor knew this
too. He tried to lean both on him and on his sword as they arrived to Chu Wanning’s garden.

The omega looked around sadly in his old home. So many memories tied him here, he got so many
experiences, learned so many feelings here… He learnt not to trust, learnt to be disappointed, he
learnt to be like a caged peacock, to be an obedient omega… he learnt how to love someone despite
all the evil things they have done to him.

After a few more steps Taxian Jun’s legs gave up. Chu Wanning panicked and he almost fell under
the weight of the emperor’s body. He carefully leaned him against the wall and knelt next to him.

“You… I get the medicine for you…” he told him and was about to get up, but Taxian Jun weakly
grabbed his sleeve.

He wasn’t strong, he wasn’t forceful. But his will was clear. He didn’t want him to leave.

Chu Wanning’s heart skipped a beat and he slowly knelt back to him. Taxian Jun held his hand
gently and stroked it with his thumb.

“…you got hurt…” Taxian Jun muttered, as he looked at the cut on his lower arms. Chu Wanning
pressed his lips together. Taxian Jun couldn’t talk well. The words blurted out as the mixture of
growls and groans. His mouth filled with blood again.

“Don’t talk… you are injured… you must rest…” he squeezed his hand and gently started to
remove the robes from his chest to see where exactly the spear has hit him.

Taxian Jun’s lips curled into a small smile. He wanted to laugh but the shaking of his body was too
painful. He leaned his head against the cold wall since he was unable to hold it up for himself.

“Chu Wanning… came back for me, got hurt for me… and now… I have never seen him being
this worried…” he said and coughed again, blood flowing from his mouth. Chu Wanning sniffled
and quickly wiped it.

He couldn’t look into his eyes. Not like this. He couldn’t lie to him at all, not anymore. Not when
he was about to die.

Die…

Tears started to flow from his eyes, his body started trembling. He looked down and finally could
see the wound on his chest. Even Taxian Jun’s ribs could be seen at some places. He really wasn’t
sure how he was still alive. He closed his eyes and turned his head away. However, that didn’t stop
the tears.
“Wanning….” he called him. “Don’t be sad. This venerable one did everything to protect you… no
one can hurt you… in the palace…”

“Stop talking” Chu Wanning begged him, gripping onto his hand even more. He wiped his mouth
again and looked down at his wound again. “You are just hurting yourself…”

“Wrong…” he started wheezing again. “I’ve never been happier in my whole life…”

His body trembled and gripped onto Chu Wanning’s hand more in pain. Chu Wanning yelped and
more tears ran off his face. Indescribable feelings were flowing through his whole body. He only
knew that his heart was breaking.

Taxian Jun still wanted to tell him more.

“I could see you one last time… you came… by yourself… you came… home…”

Home…

His heart shattered and the pieces fell on the floor. He lifted Taxian Jun’s hand and he moved his
face into his palm, his tears flowing endlessly.

“Not the last… don’t say that…”

Taxian Jun wanted to laugh again but instead he just stroked Chu Wanning’s cheek with his thumb.
His face was still so soft… so wet… with tears and blood…

“Wanning… in the past years… I’ve been the happiest… when you left… I had no one… I had no
reason to live on… I often came here… waiting here for you… Wanning… I want to be buried
here… in your garden…”

By now Chu Wanning couldn’t even talk. As if there was a barrier in his throat, he couldn’t talk,
he couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t comfort Taxian Jun as much as he wanted. He let out his scent for
him.

The emperor’s hand moved down on Chu Wanning, now he touched his belly. The omega wanted
to wail and cry more. Nothing was there. No baby. Nothing…! Taxian Jun, there was nothing…!

“The baby… is my blood…”

Footsteps could be heard from Song Qiutong’s courtyard. Chu Wanning leaned closer to Taxian
Jun and was about to remove his hand from his belly. He stopped halfway because he saw the
emperor’s mouth filling up with blood again. His eyes became cloudy and distant. He was still
looking at Chu Wanning, but the omega knew, he could no longer see him. His hand on his belly
trembled so Chu Wanning helped him keeping it there.

“I want our son… to be the next… emperor…. Wanning… teach him well…”

A strange, calm smile appeared in the corner of Taxian Jun’s mouth. He couldn’t see nor couldn’t
hear anymore. He was gone, flying away, to meet his unborn child.

Chu Wanning felt his hand go limp on his stomach. He shook his head and hugged his arm, as if he
wanted him to wipe his tears off again. He bit his lip to muffle his whimpers and the urge to cry out
loud. The shatters of his broken heart were caught up by the wind and flew away.

The world didn’t let him mourn his own child’s death properly. Now he couldn’t even mourn over
Taxian Jun’s passing. Someone put his hand on his shoulder and gently turned him away and
pulled him into his own chest.

Chu Wanning recognized the scent in no time. Mo Ran hugged him tightly and kissed his head all
around. Chu Wanning hugged back, but at the same time he didn’t let go of Taxian Jun’s quickly
cooling hand. The blood was still warm on it.

“It’s over now… it’s over…” Mo Ran said and gently took Taxian Jun’s hand out of his hand. He
saw that Wanning was unable to walk in this state, so he picked him up in bridal style and let him
hide his face in his chest. He turned to the door of the courtyard where Xue Meng stood, his arm
badly bleeding. He panted as he looked at Mo Ran.

“I told him not to come out of the tunnel” he said as he looked at Chu Wanning’s cut up arm.
“How did you pick up his scent anyway? Are you familiar with him?”

Mo Ran looked down at the trembling, pale omega in his arms. He hugged him closer and kissed
his head again. He let out his own scent to comfort him.

“He is Chu Wanning. The late emperor’s concubine and my lover” he said, and he could
technically hear Xue Meng’s jaw hitting the ground. His brother cursed quietly about not being
able to ask the name of the omega he had just taken in. “I’m not sure how you’ve met but I’m
relieved now. Thank you for this too, Xue Meng. For taking care of him.”

Xue Meng looked down and just nodded.

“Let’s go quickly, my people can’t hold the army back forever. We must get out of here!”

Mo Ran agreed and started running with the still trembling Chu Wanning in his arms. He wanted
to make sure he was okay, that he didn’t have severe injuries, that the baby was secured in his
belly, but he knew they didn’t have time for this. Not now when they killed the emperor and many
other soldiers of the palace…

He followed Xue Meng who reached Song Qiutong’s garden and headed for the tunnel, but
suddenly, a whitehaired old man appeared in front of him and lifted his arms. Xue Meng cursed
again and stopped, raising his long blade.

“Who are you?!” he yelled at the old servant, who humbly bowed his head for both of them.

“Liu-gong!” Mo Ran recognized him and stepped closer a little calmer. Even Chu Wanning lifted
his head a bit to glance at Taxian Jun’s old servant for a moment. “Don’t try to stop us, I wouldn’t
have the heart to kill you.”

The old man sighed and shook his head. He slowly reached up in his long sleeve, what made Xue
Meng lift his blade even higher. Mo Ran just let out a soft growl for his brother. They probably
didn’t have to hurt him.

“Oh, prince, oh prince…” he pulled out a roll from his sleeve. “Are you really going to leave this
country without an emperor? In despair?”

“I never wanted to be the emperor” Mo Ran said. “It’s not a healthy place” he tilted his head back
towards the palace “the might takes the people’s minds. Let us leave.”

“This is an order that the late emperor, your father has given to me. It’s his last wish, with his own
signet. It says: Never let Taxian Jun be the emperor. The crown belongs to my second son, Mo Ran.
This is a swear I’m never going to break. If anyone tries to go against my will, then they shall be
rewarded by death.”

Mo Ran gulped and felt Chu Wanning’s hand tighten on his chest hearing this. Liu-gong
continued:

“Your father always wanted you to take the throne. Taxian Jun sent you away with a purpose, not
to return any time, so he could keep his position as the emperor. Now that he is gone, the late
emperor’s only living son is you. If you are going to leave now, a civil war will start. The country
will fall into chaos, and the Song family…. they will be the most bloodthirsty family among all the
big clans. Prince Mo, please consider staying and becoming the new emperor.”

Mo Ran listened to him silently. As he thought the more into it, the more his face darkened. Xue
Meng stared at him with wide eyes.

“Brother, you can’t possibly think this seriously! The soldiers out there are going to cut you in half
if they see you!”

“Not if they see my father’s will. He was respected among the soldiers. They will listen” he said
and looked down at Chu Wanning. “But… the decision is not mine to make. I just want to stay
with Chu Wanning. If he wants to leave, then I will leave and not care about this country anymore.
If he is willing to stay and be my empress, then I will stay.”

Chu Wanning lifted his tearstained face. How could Mo Ran think this seriously? Of course, he
was familiar with the thought of being the empress… but such a heavy decision… why did he have
to decide something like this?

“The baby is gone” he spurted out.

Mo Ran widened his eyes and stared down at Chu Wanning’s pained expression. He looked down
at his belly then again up at Chu Wanning’s face. He took a shaky breath then let out his scent
even more, completely enveloping him. He nuzzled his forehead and said:

“You are going to be my wife. We will have as many as you want, baobei” he whispered to him.
“Just decide what life you want for us and our future children.”

Chu Wanning gripped onto his shirt more and lowered his head. He felt Mo Ran’s arms keeping
him firmly close to his chest, never letting him go. He really just wanted to leave. Never to return.
Never to face Taxian Jun’s grave, never to live like a caged bird again.

Xue Meng’s soldiers started arriving to Song Qiutong’s courtyard and Xue Meng simply ordered
them to get out of the castle. He would surely leave with his men no matter what Chu Wanning’s
decision would be.

Chu Wanning saw the soldiers ran past to them, smelled their blood and his stomach turned then
became smaller. Who knows how many of them lost their lives in here… how many of them could
already have a wife, children…

He thought of the woman and her two children in the village, who saved him after he lost his own
baby. They were not protected by strong walls, nor soldiers. They were out in the middle of
nowhere… would their home be ruined too in a civil war? There was no one out there to protect
them…

He slowly wiped his face with his black sleeve as he lifted his head.

“You were born to be the emperor” he told Mo Ran softly.

The prince kissed his forehead then took the paper from Liu-gong and started walking back
towards the main staircase, still carrying Chu Wanning as if he was the most precious treasure in
this palace.

He would make everyone kneel before their new emperor.

A year after Mo Ran became the new young emperor of the country, the situation with the Song
clan was still not as good as it should have been. Song Qiutong’s father was restless, not being able
to simply forgive for her daughter being beheaded by Taxian Jun. He blamed Mo Ran and was
nonstop asking for compensation. Mo Ran, however, was not willing to pay for a crime he hadn’t
committed. He often traveled there, trying to talk some sense to him, or just try to bond with him
for the better relationship.

Other than this, the situation in the country was more or less stable. Mo Ran hasn’t been in the
country for so long, he had to learn everything from scratch, with the help of the friends of his
father and the teachers Liu-gong advised.

Luckily, he was a fast learner, and nobody wanted to get him off the throne. He was successful so
far, made allies with the neighboring countries and their leaders, he could always count on Xue
Meng and Sisheng State.

Mo Ran had just arrived home from another meeting with Sect Leader Song. He was tired both in
body and mind. Song Qiutong’s father was truly just a pain in the ass. As he got off his horse in his
red-gold armor, he saw a servant running up to him with loosened bun and worried face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“It’s Empress Chu!” she cried. “He was at the tomb again when… when…”

Mo Ran frowned. Chu Wanning spent a lot of time at Taxian Jun’s tomb in that small garden that
belonged to Chu Wanning once. He did that before their wedding a lot… just sitting there, pouring
tea for two and reminiscing about him, about their life in that small chamber of his.

After their wedding, Chu Wanning came less times. He probably knew that Mo Ran didn’t want
him to come, that Mo Ran would be disappointed if he came. So he came in secret, but Mo Ran
found out about it quickly. However, he decided not to mention it, so Chu Wanning still believed
he didn’t know about his visits.

“The baby…! The baby is coming!” the servant cried, rubbing her arm nervously.

“What?! Isn’t it too early?!” Mo Ran widened his eyes and paled. He started walking towards the
living quarters.

“It indeed is your highness!” the servant said and quickly followed Mo Ran.

Mo Ran cursed in his head as the weight of the situation grew heavier and heavier in his mind. Chu
Wanning got pregnant again not long after their wedding… that makes him… makes him now…
only seven and a half months pregnant!

He fastened his steps, and he was already running when he burst through the doors of their home.
He panted as he looked around, but he could only see many servants running around, carrying
water and towels. This was more than a bad omen to him. The physicians warned them several
times that Chu Wanning was too weak to keep a baby through nine months. The servants were
always ready to call a doctor every time Chu Wanning felt he slightest pain in the stomach. And
now…

The servants’ talking almost completely muffled Chu Wanning’s soft groans in the bed. Mo Ran
hurried over and stopped in his tracks when he saw his beautiful wife laying there. He was covered
with a golden colored blanket in the moment Mo Ran has entered, but it couldn’t hide all the blood
on the bed.

Chu Wanning gripped onto the blanket and furrowed his brows. His hair was untidy, and his face
was covered in sweat. The physician sat in the end of the bed, only he could see what exactly was
going on under the blanket.

“Mo Ran…”

Chu Wanning opened his eyes when he felt his husband’s scent in the room. He weakly reached
for his hand and Mo Ran finally knelt next to him and held his hand. He supported his head and
shoulders some as well.

“Empress, it’s almost out!”

Mo Ran kissed Chu Wanning’s head and squeezed his hand.

“I’m sorry for being late” Mo Ran whispered. “I’m here now… Wanning… I know how strong
you are…”

Chu Wanning groaned in pain, but he gathered all his strength for the final push. A few moments
later he felt the baby was out, so he leaned his head against Mo Ran’s shoulder. He felt like passing
out. He furrowed his brows and closed his eyes, his hand going limp in Mo Ran’s hand.

Then, under his exhaustion another bad feeling crept up in his heart. He opened his eyes and
looked up at Mo Ran who was frowning as he was watching the physician. The baby in his arms
was a boy, but he was small, incredibly small, and barely whimpered as he was cleaned.

The emperor pulled his wife closer and started stroking his hand with his thumb.

“Why is he not crying?” he asked quietly.

The physician cleaned the baby then carefully checked his heartbeat and breathing. Mo Ran held
his breath back as the physician was examining his child. He just felt something was wrong. The
baby was too early. Chu Wanning was too weak.

Chu Wanning’s heart was also racing as he now held onto Mo Ran tightly. He feared this during
his whole pregnancy. The feeling of loss was something he never wanted to experience again. He
looked down and felt tears gathering in his eyes. He closed his eyes.

Then he felt something was put on his chest. He opened his eyes and saw his little, sleeping baby
on his chest, his breath being a bit shallow, but steady. He looked at the physician.

“The little prince is premature, but he seems stable for now. Please take good care of him,
empress” he bowed respectfully.

Chu Wanning widened his eyes and let go of Mo Ran’s hand so he could put his trembling hands
on his baby’s back and head. His palm was as big as his little head. He was so fragile, so pale, so
tiny. But he was alive. He should be fine. Right?

He gulped and looked up at Mo Ran. The emperor sat on the edge of the bed and kissed Chu
 Wanning’s head. He didn’t seem worried. The pure happiness shone from his eyes, the light that he
had fallen in love.

“You gave us a little prince” he whispered. “I’m so proud. I love you, Wanning.”

Chu Wanning nodded, tears still streaming down on his face. He looked down at his little baby on
his chest. He could feel the little heart beating against his, he felt the small rising and falling of his
back as he breathed. He was bald, small, and pale, not even able to cry properly. Yet, Chu
Wanning finally felt at ease. It didn’t matter now. He could just feel that he would live.

The scent and the warmth of Mo Ran’s arms enveloped him. He couldn’t feel pure happiness in the
past year. Not since the war between Mo Ran and Taxian Jun started. He couldn’t be happy when
he married Mo Ran. He felt like the status was not meant to be his, he felt like he was not worthy at
all. He became the empress, and only that made him glad that like this he could always be on Mo
Ran’s side. He couldn’t be happy when he found out he was pregnant again. He stressed during his
whole pregnancy, fearing that he would disappoint everyone again by losing his baby.

But now, that his heart was tired of all the unhappiness, finally he could learn how to be like Mo
Ran. How to be like a ray of sunshine, smiling down on their baby.

“How should we name him?” Mo Ran asked quietly, letting out his scent more, so the baby could
grow comfortable with it as well.

Chu Wanning smiled as he gently stroked the baby’s little head with his fingers. The little prince,
the firstborn of Emperor Mo deserved a good name. He knew he would try to raise him to be like
Mo Ran.

A small, but strong feeling started to take over on his body. Warmth flew through his veins, his
mood was light, the pain in his body almost completely disappeared. This was the feeling of having
a family. This was the feeling of having a happy family.

He smiled and kissed his son’s soft head.

“I want to call him A-Xian.”

Chapter End Notes

It was the loooongest chapter, I can't believe it's more than 4700 words...

As I promised, I show you the fmv that inspired me:

Here
I originally planned to make Chu Wanning the concubine of Mo Ran's father but then
Taxian Jun came into my mind and boooom, JUST HOW EXCITING IS TWO MO
RANS' BATTLE
During my free time and writing I found another fmv too, the pictures are quite fitting,
but I only know little Chinese and no Vietnamese at all haha:
Here

I love watching fmvs, I have a whole playlist of them XD they give me so much
inspiration so hopefully I'll return soon with another ranwan fic, this time in moden
times :3
 Thank you for reading my very first 2ha fic, thank you for all your kind comments,
you make me really happy! <3

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